Is that edible...

Just say no

... or not? Campus is surrounded by many plants and trees, some of which have edible fruits and nuts. Today's focus is on this cluster of black fruits. Are they edible? NO. Never eat these fruits. NEVER! Resembling black berries, the Black Jetbead, Rhodotypos scandent, is highly toxic. It was introduced to United States from Eastern Asia in the late 1800's, and it is drought resistant as well as tolerant of cold weather. It's four petaled white flower appears in the late spring followed by shiny black fruits that appear in groups of four in the fall. On the black jetbead, Fr. Ralph said, "If you eat these four, you'll be more than sore."

Fr. Terry chimed in saying, "Beware the obsidian beauty of Japanese Jetbead. Their fourfold glossy symmetry can attract the eye, but better to avoid the bait than convulse in the snare of hydrocyanic acid if eaten. Not good."

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