July 18, 2026

Though they look like berries, these are actually seeds. Poisonous seeds. Like many plants, all parts of this plant, Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), are toxic to humans. Even handling the plant can cause skin irritation.

The bright blue of the fleshy seed coats attract woodland birds. The bitter taste of the leaves discourage White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and other mammalian herbivores from eating the leaves and stems.

When I’m out roaming the woods, I’m not out there to eat what I find. I’m out just to take in the enormous amount of beauty there is along all the trails.

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