Friday, September 23, 2011

You talkin' to me?


Just met this Doll's eyes plant (Actaea pachypoda), staring me down with its crooked little eyeballs at the Bellevue Botanical gardens. Although aesthetically interesting, I still find it a bit creepy; there is something crazy, almost sinister in its expression. And not without a reason; the whole plant is highly toxic, just a couple of berries are enough to cause a cardiac arrest and even death.  Perfect for a garden with a Halloween theme...?

7 comments:

Hällan Visningsträdgård/Ulrika said...

Läskigt att höra att vi har så giftiga växter i vår trädgård.
Men hur många blir sugna på att smaka? Rolig växt i alla fall.

Ruben said...

Uj, den kallas möjligen inte CIA plant i staterna? ;-)

Ha det gott!
/Ruben

The Intercontinental Gardener said...

Ruben, vi kanske kan föreslå en liten namnändring tillsammans ;-)

Hällan, jag har inte heller hört om många som äter upp plantor. Hur var det nu, ett barn har förgiftats livsfarligt i Sverige sedan 40-talet, läste jag någonstans... undrar om det stämmer?

Carol said...

What fun and creepy too, when you think of the seeds as eyes! Nature does give warning in bright colors though.

The Intercontinental Gardener said...

Hi Carol, good to hear from you! I hope all is well. I agree with the colors, these berries do not look appetizing, which is very lucky as they are so poisonous.

Laguna Dirt said...

that's wild! believe it or not, i am staying in a little cabin in southern new hampshire and just spotted that exact plant on a walk. mostly it's just goldrod and new england aster this time of year, and then i saw that thing! i will take a shot and send it your way for verification.

The Intercontinental Gardener said...

Hi Laguna, that's fun, this plant comes from the northeastern USA, so you must be right, the berries and colouring are quite unique. Have a great vacation up there!