PLANTS POISONOUS TO EAT 



205 



eating cherry leaves in this condition. A similar formation 

 of prussic acid takes place in the kernels of cherry stones in 

 the presence of moisture. It is therefore dangerous to swal- 

 low the fruit whole or to eat many of the kernels. Children 

 have died from so doing. 



The flowers of poisonous plants are dangerous in two ways : 

 (1) by affording a poisonous honey, and (2) by their at- 



FiG. 194. — Wood-auemony {Anemone nemerosa, Crowfoot Family, Ranun- 

 culacece). Plant in flower. Flower, cut vertically. (Baillon.) — Peren- 

 nial herb 7-20 cm. tall; leaves nearly smooth; flowers white or pinkish; 

 fruit dry. Native home, Eurasia. The American wood-anemony 

 {Anemone quinquefolia) is so like the species above shown as to be 

 formerly regarded only as a variety of it differing chiefly in having 

 smaller flowers and paler leaves. 



Fig. 195. — Daphne (Daphne Mezcrcum, Mezereum Family, Thymelaacttp). 

 A, flowering branch. B, flower, entire. C, same, cut vertically. £), 

 fruit, entire. E, same, cut vertically. (Baillon.) — Shrub .30-90 cm. 

 tall; leaves very smooth; flowers rose-purple, fragrant; fruit fleshy, red. 

 Native home, Europe. 



