Our most poisonous berries
Photos: Arne Ader and Urmas Tartes
Translation: Liis
Mezereon
| Mezereon; daphne | Harilik näsiniin |
They should be known. The species name mezereum in Farsi means ”to kill”.
The mezereon grows scattered in all Estonia, preferring fertile soils. It is a sparsely branched shrub, growing up to one metre. The leaves are set differently, bundled towards the tips of the bush, fewer along the stalk.
The beautiful, brightly-coloured drupes (”berries” in common speech) are set close to the branch and are very decorative in nature.
The whole plant is toxic. Eating only a few berries already causes serious poisoning. It is estimated that eating a dozen berries would be lethal. The berries are said to have a disgusting taste.
Mezereon berries
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