You all know my penchant for things to be descriptively named, like Death Camas. With a name like that, you know to leave it alone and definitely not eat it. I’m also not a fan of foraging, there are too many poisonous look-alikes out there. I’m not an expert in identifying wild edibles, and likely … Continue reading
A lot of things in life don’t make sense, and it seems I spend half my time trying to explain and rationalize these to my three young girls. They ask a lot of questions. A lot. Why do we park on a driveway? Why is something called a “free gift”, aren’t gifts always free? What’s … Continue reading
Is it possible to have a poison that’s not a poison unless there is another poison around? Ya sure, ya betcha. Enter Coprinopsis atramentaria, otherwise known as the ink, or inky, cap mushroom. The ink cap mushroom is found primarily in the northern hemisphere, and grows in fields during the spring and fall. It gets its name, ink … Continue reading
Mushrooms can kill. Make no mistake about that, and do not allow others to tell you otherwise. Even those that are experienced and wise can make a mistake that alters their life, and the lives around them, forever. Such is the case of Nicholas Evans, author of the bestseller “Horse Whisperer.” While visiting family in … Continue reading
Welcome to Mushroom Week on Nature’s Poisons, where I’ll highlight two poisonous mushrooms, one that severely sickens and one that can kill. Check back on Tuesday and Thursday for the history, chemistry and science of these two fungi. I plan on covering more poisonous mushrooms over time, so be patient, but if there’s one you’re … Continue reading
Nature's Poisons 