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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

Simple keyword search (one or two words only)

 


BRIEF: Please explain the difference between asteracae and compositae.


QUESTION:
Please explain the difference between asteracae and compositae.

ANSWER:

I believe they are synonyms for the same plant family.
QUESTION:
Are plants categorized into the plant families by physical appearance or by chemical properties or, is physical appearance an indication of chemical properties?

ANSWER:

By physical appearance and structure, especially (but not exclusively) according to reproductive structures and life cycles.
QUESTION:
Do plants in the same plant family share the same chemical properties?

ANSWER:

Often there are similar if not the same chemicals in members of the same family. But non-volatile chemicals are probably not the cause of your allergies. The nasty IgE-mediated sneezes are usually caused by more complex antigens such as the proteins in pollen, which are often different between members of the same family or even genus. It is a rather unpredictable business, that has something to do with when you were first exposed, your age, your specific immune system, etc. I find immunology incredibly confusing. It is a good thing I am not a doctor, just a lowly nutritionist!