Seductive...but deadly

The bushes of Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna, are now adorned with attractive shiny black berries. In the past they were thought to be responsible for a few deaths from children picking ands eating them. As a result, many plants were dug up from areas near villages in chalky districts. Thankfully, there are still plenty of plants at the nature reserve, well away from habitation, but still close to footpaths. On a walk recently I experienced parents who told their children not to pick anything because 'many berries and fungi are deadly poisonous'. It would be a shame if today's children do not enjoy wild fruits like blackberries and raspberries just because no-one has explained the very clear differences in fruit shape and other features of the plants they are found on.