Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit
There may be a few orchids that are toxic but orchids are generally considered non-toxic, safe for homes with small children and pets.
|
Trichocentrum cebolleta (one of the most widespread wildflowers in the world, found from Mexico south to Argentina) is hallucinogenic, so you probably shouldn't eat those (or any of its close relatives)
several Liparis species are poisonous
many different types of orchids have a bitter taste, rather than a sweet taste. and many of them have a texture that you would not try eating more than once.
most orchids store their food as inulin, an indigestible type of starch, instead of sweet sugar. you're probably not going to get a whole lot of flavor or calories out of most orchids. (but many of them are a good source of vitamin c)
Quote:
And there is that Turkish orchid 'ice-cream' - tho that is made from tubers of a terrestrial orchid I believe ?
|
sahlep is usually artificially flavored now, since terrestrial orchids in Turkey have basically been wiped out by overharvesting.
Quote:
Lily bulbs on the other hand ... I think generally true bulbs should be considered toxic, tho perhaps not all are.
|
Lily bulbs are non-toxic (to humans - but don't feed them to your cat). They generally have a bitter taste, except the asiatic varieties used as food in china are generally sweet.
Tulips, Brodiaea and Camassia are also edible. (just don't get Camassia confused with the Death Camas)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray
If you use systemic insecticides, do not try this at home...
|
the same applies to systemic fungicides, such as Physan