Is that edible...

... or not? Campus is surrounded by many plants and trees, some of which have edible fruits and nuts. And so, we give you "Is this edible or not?" that you might be able to safely taste the goodness of nature while avoiding all those things that, well, should be avoided. Today's focus is on these walnut sized fruits growing on a tree behind the Grotto. Are they edible? Well, yes, but be careful. Identified, by Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, botanist and theologian, as Chinese horse chestnuts, these nuts picture above are edible and often used by Chinese herbalist for circulatory problems. BUT American chestnuts, or buckeyes, are NOT. How can you tell the two apart? Edible chestnuts belong to the genus Castanea and are enclosed in sharp, spine-covered burs. The toxic, inedible horse chestnuts have a fleshy, bumpy husk with a wart-covered appearance. On eating these Chinese horse chestnuts, Fr. Ralph said, "Are they edible? I think Nancy Reagan said it best when she said, 'Just say NO!'" 

BUT THERE'S MORE... 

Here's the newest installment of In the Red Room... To listen, click HERE.