They ate these berries, are they safe?

[TwentyOneChickens]

The leaves are toxic also. She could have had a bad reaction to them. Hope she gets well soon.

Yeah, I think that’s what happened. Thanks

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My late MIL cooked and ate poke (the leaves) every year and served it to her relatives who thoroughly enjoyed it. She only boiled it once and would then fry it with onions, I think. I couldn't stand the smell of it. I tasted it once to be polite. Later read that it should be boiled, the water poured off and boiled again. I told her that and she laughed at me. Guess it's what you get used to. I'll never eat it again. I'm not sure that's what's pictured in the OP though.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

UPDATE: my husband says those are poke berries and they are NOT toxic. He grew around here, and eating poke. He says people might not care for the taste of the berries, but they won't hurt you. (I will add that he can eat just about anything, and I have a *very* sensitive stomach, though).

 

[Sequel]

Hey guys... my mom was removing some of these near the driveway with her bare hands. She’s sick now and she has a rash on her arms. Do you think it was from the Pokeweed?

How is she doing today?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hey guys... my mom was removing some of these near the driveway with her bare hands. She’s sick now and she has a rash on her arms. Do you think it was from the Pokeweed?

Could there have been poison ivy or poison oak growing among it? That stuff is everywhere around here!

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

UPDATE: my husband says those are poke berries and they are NOT toxic. He grew around here, and eating poke. He says people might not care for the taste of the berries, but they won't hurt you. (I will add that he can eat just about anything, and I have a *very* sensitive stomach, though).

My dad said that too, but everything on the internet says they are toxic.

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

How is she doing today?

Better I think, she’s got a bad headache though.

 

[TwentyOneChickens]

Could there have been poison ivy or poison oak growing among it? That stuff is everywhere around here!

That’s pretty likely.

 

[Chickassan]

Poke IS toxic. It is not toxic to birds.
Poke leaves are only consumable for people if they are cooked in a VERY specific way.
Misinformation is never good.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Poke IS toxic. It is not toxic to birds.
Poke leaves are only consumable for people if they are cooked in a VERY specific way.
Misinformation is never good.

Well, my MIL was 90 when she died, and it was a car wreck that killed her, not poke. But the stuff sure didn't agree with *my* stomach, I'll grant you that, but then not much does.