Poisonous Plants

Charlie 2

I  have recently ordered seeds from a reliable nursery for Dolichos lablab.  There was no mention of the plants being poisonous on their website or in their catalogue but on receipt the packets have POISON stamped on them twice.  I have returned the seeds to them and await their response but I have now looked at various other nursery websites for these seeds and although many stock them there is no mention of them being poisonous.   Some types are eaten in Africa but only after very careful cooking/washing etc.  In the body they create hydrogen cyanide so with my visiting grandsons, dogs etc I just do not want to take any risks.  I assume it is DEFRA who will oversee seed labelling but I am concerned about the rules etc regarding seed packaging and how they are monitored.  

nutcutlet

Half the plants in the garden are poisonous. In the past we just didn't eat them,

Obelixx

You just need to teach your grandchildren not to eat plants from the garden or out in the hedgerows and parks without asking.    

All sorts of normal garden plants are poisonous and yet the human race has survived.  Apple seeds produce cyanide so can be poisonous, given enough of them. 

madpenguin

Just looked up Dolichos lablab as I had never heard of it before.
The mature dry seeds (which would be the ones in a seed packet) are poisonous.You have to boil them to remove the toxins.
More info on several sites on Google.

Paul B3

http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/talks.htm#atozmenu

You may find this interesting ; our gardens would be pretty drab were it not for poisonous plants .

Plants have evolved these defences for good reasons ; if the human race decided to cultivate them , be it at our own risk .

Dovefromabove

madpenguin said:

Just looked up Dolichos lablab as I had never heard of it before.
The mature dry seeds (which would be the ones in a seed packet) are poisonous.You have to boil them to remove the toxins.
More info on several sites on Google.

Even red kidney beans (the ones you buy in the supermarket)are poisonous if not cooked properly ... but they’re frequently eaten in the UK in chilli con carne and bean salads. 
Potato seeds are poisonous, rhubarb leaves are poisonous, cherry stones produce cyanide as do apple pips as has been said. 

Just dont feed the seeds to
 your grandchildren and watch them in the garden until they’re reliable enough not to put stuff in their mouths without checking with a grownup first. 

Posy

I believe that if you have very young children using your garden it is wise to be very cautious about what you grow and to make sure that tools and substances are kept well out of the way, as well as poisonous plants, because you want to be able to relax and enjoy both the garden and the children. However, once they are old enough to understand about what should not be put in the mouth or handled and then the hands put in the mouth you have little need to worry.

 The arrival of a baby opens our eyes to the HUNDREDS of dangerous items contained within a modern house, garage and garden, but we all learn to live with them as we grow so long as the adults employ common sense.

Hostafan1

caution is good: paranoia is bad