A craze for survivalism in France has come under scrutiny following the death of a 26-year old who ate a plant his instructor allegedly insisted was a harmless “wild carrot”.
In fact, it was hemlock water dropwort, perhaps the most poisonous indigenous plant in France and Britain and whose fleshy tubers are known as “dead man’s fingers”.
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-James
There's a fellow out here I met through a TN Gun Owner's chat board (you should sign up!), who runs a free-as-in-beer wild edibles class a couple times a year outside Crossville. I've gone twice, and want to take it a 3rd time! He showed us a couple different nightshade plants that grow in the area! Fun times!
ReplyDeleteAbout 10 miles south of Crossville on Hwy 68 is a little community called Grassy Cove. That little valley is one of the prettiest spots on God’s green earth, as far as I’m concerned.
DeleteI bet you that somehow we should blame Trump for that death.
ReplyDeleteAnother Rona death.
ReplyDeleteQueen Anne has hairy legs. If the stalk is smooth, it WILL kill you.
ReplyDeleteThe French will put anything in their mouths.....
ReplyDeleteI thought we were supposed to trust and believe the experts.
ReplyDeleteYou mean experts like Sammy?
Delete*Jumps into bunker*
I took an outdoor survival course once upon ago. The lead instructor was technical advisor to the movie "Jeremiah Johnson." Not a whole lot to eat in the Absaroka Mountains. Wild celery, frog, ground squirrel, porcupine, etc. 47 years ago. I suspect I've lost a step or two since then.
ReplyDeleteIt grows here in Oregon too. It looks like any of several harmless weeds but the stalk has purple spots on it. If you're not careful you could mistake it for a white carrot - which is occasionally grown and sold at local Farmer's Markets.
ReplyDelete...and those that can't teach, kill
ReplyDeleteMy book of weeds (hey, know your lawn) advises to use extreme care if even handling roots of the water hemlock.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a book I once read...."How to tell Mushrooms from Toadstools" by the late Dr. Harvey Snuckem.
ReplyDelete