2023-04-28 08:34:47
Between 2020 and 2022, two people died in France as a result of poisoning by a deadly wild plant, colchicum. Colchicum can easily be confused with an edible wild plant much appreciated by connoisseurs, wild garlic. Here are some tips for picking safely!
Beware of the confusion between wild garlic, wild leek and colchicum
In spring, the undergrowth can be covered with a plant much appreciated by connoisseurs for its taste qualities, wild garlic (from its Latin name, Bear garlic). Fans therefore take the opportunity to pick these plants, which are then most often eaten raw (in pestos for example), and sometimes cooked (like in a quiche). But this plant, perfectly ediblecan be confused with two other plants:
- The wild leek (Allium polyanthum) also edible;
- The colchicum (Colchicum autumnal) toxic and potentially deadly.
Colchicum is a toxic wild plant, from which is extracted an active ingredient, colchicine, used as a cancer chemotherapy drug. Between 2020 and 2022, 28 cases ofpoisoning between colchicum and wild garlic have been identified by poison control centres, including two fatal cases. These poisonings occur in spring, between March and May, and are encountered mainly in two regions of France: the Grand-Est region and the Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region.
Colchicum poisoning with severe, sometimes fatal symptoms
These plants grow in the same environment, and can be picked before they flower, increasing the risk of confusion. Colchique only flowers in the fall, while wild garlic flowers in early summer. Symptoms of poisoning are persistent, pronounced or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, liver problems, and even serious hematological problems.
To clearly differentiate colchicum from wild garlic, a few advice are important to follow:
- Knowing how to recognize the two plants: wild garlic has more or less shiny, oval and pointed leaves, carried by stems. Colchicum has stiffer, stemless leaves. The bulb of wild garlic is elongated and white, while that of colchicum is round and dark.
- Check for the presence of a garlic smell by crumpling each leaf picked up, one by one and not in armfuls. Only wild garlic smells like garlic.
- Do not consume if in doubt regarding the plant picked up.
- Stop eating the plant if you experience a bitter or unpleasant taste.
- photograph your picking to facilitate identification in case of poisoning.
- Contact a poison Control Center if suspicious symptoms appear within hours of consuming herbs.
- Call 15 in case of severe symptoms or vital distress.
Other confusions between edible and toxic wild plants!
The confusion between wild garlic and colchicum is not the only confusion at risk of plant poisoning. Other high-risk situations identified in France include:
- The confusion in the vegetable garden between bitter gourds and edible gourds;
- The confusion between saffron water and wild carrot;
- The confusion between datura leaves and horned new-start leaves.
The picking of wild plants in the garden or in nature is therefore not without risk and you have to know how to recognize a plant before picking it up and eating it. Even small doses of poisonous plants can cause severe or even fatal symptoms. If in doubt, it is best not to pick up or consume!
Published on June 13, 2019 by Alexana A. Updated by Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy, April 28, 2023.
Sources
– Edible plant and poisonous plant: beware of confusion. www.centreantipoisons.be. Accessed April 24, 2023.
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