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PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

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BRIEF: Could you give me some information about the toxicity of Solanum crispum?


QUESTION:
I am wondering if your studies on poisonous plants have led to findings on toxicity of Solanum crispum (Chilean Potato Tree). I am a landscape architect in the San Francisco area and use the plant often in gardens here.

ANSWER:
I have no experience with that particular species of Solanum. As you probably know, most members of that genus have some rather toxic glycosides (tomatine, etc.) and a few have calcinogenic toxins, as well (like 1,25 DiOH D). In fact most ornamental plants are reasonably toxic in one way or another. That is why we can plant them outdoors where insects, fungi and browsing vertebrates live, yet they continue to survive and look good...natural pesticides.