On 25/10/2019 21:48, Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article ,
Vir Campestris wrote:

The point is that, allergies and damage to mucous membranes aside,
any plant found 'in the wild' in the UK can be handled and even tasted
without serious risk of death or permanent injury.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=458

I looked it up because I recall hearing tales of children using the
stems to make blowpipes. The results were not good.

Come to that, belladonna isn't even uncommon...

I checked up on several of the claims of harm, and they were assigned
to giant hogweed because 'obviously' that was the cause. In some cases,
there was no giant hogweed in the vicinity. I have also cut it down
on a hot summer's day using a sickle, wearing shorts and a short-sleeved
shirt, and had no reaction.

Not everyone is sensitive so a bit like with hyacinths you might or
might not react. I somehow became sensitive to sedum spectabile.

That doesn't mean that it CAN'T cause photosensitising reactions, but
that the hype isn't based on evidence, and it's probably no worse than
many other common garden plants.

I think there were a few high profile serious damage to small childrens
lips events in the 70's that got it demonised. It is an impressive plant
but sets so much seed that it can become very invasive very quickly.

And I have been prescribed belladonna ....

Dose makes the poison.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown