Knowing Which Plants to Avoid Eating

In a survival situation plants are most likely going to be the most common source of food. Therefore it is important to know which plants to avoid eating as many are poisonous (such as the Cherry Laurel, pictured above) and dangerous to ingest. Here are some general guidelines when it comes to identifying plants that should be avoided.

• Avoid old or wilted leaves - The leaves of some plants (raspberry, blackberry, peach, plum, cherry) devolop deadly toxins when they wilt so stick to fresh green leaves.

• Avoid plants with barbs on stems or leaves - Even tiny barbs can irritate the mouth and digestive tract.

• Avoid fruit which is divided into five segments unless you know it is safe - Nature has a way with patterns and many five segment fruits are harmful to ingest.

• Avoid Red plants unless again, you know they are safe - Another pattern you see is that most red plants are dangerous to eat.

• Avoid plants with milky sap - there are a few safe ones such as the dandelion (every part of a dandelion can be eaten EXCEPT for the stem which of course, contains white milky sap) but for the most part steer clear.