The berries of the beauty fruit, as the love pearl bush is also called, look like the small colorful sugar balls that many people still know from childhood days. That tempts you to try them. But wait a minute: is this plant actually poisonous?

The beautiful love pearls are slightly poisonous

Beautiful to look at, but inedible

These violet shimmering 'love pearls' of this easy-care shrub look downright magical. But they contain substances that are less beneficial to health. You notice that when you taste one of the berries. They taste extremely unpleasant. A healthy sense of taste recognizes the toxins and wants to protect the body from them. The result is spitting.

Slightly toxic due to 3 substances

The love pearl bush is classified as slightly poisonous due to three substances. Here are the facts:

  • Toxins: Callicapenal, Intermedeol and Spathulenol
  • Poisoning manifests itself in stomach complaints, nausea and vomiting
  • up to 10 pieces are safe for children
  • The main danger comes from the berries
  • different levels of toxins depending on the variety

Fatal poisoning is unlikely

Since the berries of the beauty fruit are extremely unappetizing, it is quite unlikely that people will fatally poison themselves from them. They taste bitter and astringent. However, you should educate your children about it.

Be careful if you use branches as living room decoration!

Even if you have cut off individual twigs for home decoration and placed them in a vase, you should be careful! Preferably place the vase in a place that is out of the reach of small children and pets!

tips

The leaves can be collected and rubbed on the skin. This protects against ticks and mosquitoes, among other things.

Category:

Vegetable garden