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Silverstone accidentally called it a tomato, but it turned out to be a fruit whose consumption might be dangerous.
Identifying the Poisonous Jerusalem Cherry
In the video, Silverstone explained that she was unsure of what the fruit was and decided to taste it to find out. “I just bit into it because it was on the street, and we were discussing whether this was a tomato or not,” she said. After taking a couple of bites, she realized the fruit had a peppery flavor and wasn’t a tomato.
Looking at it closely, the fruit looked to be a Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum), which belongs to the nightshade family and also contains potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, and peppers. Certain crops can be hazardous in portions, like the foliage, yet their edible parts are safe.
Health Risks Associated With The Jerusalem Cherry
All portions of the Jerusalem cherry plant, including the leaves, are toxic to people and animals, including horses, dogs, and cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
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The berries are especially dangerous when they’re not fully ripe, as they can produce symptoms like delirium, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and even paralysis that impair the central nervous and gastrointestinal systems. It can be deadly to consume big amounts.
Fortunately, Silverstone mentioned that she did not swallow the berries, and since the berries were reddish-orange, indicating ripeness, the toxicity might have been lower.
A Reminder Of The Dangers Of Unknown Foods
Fans of Silverstone quickly expressed their concern in the comments, with one user asking, “Why would ANYONE eat random, unknown things from the street?!?” Another fan requested updates on her condition, saying, “Can someone tag me when we know she’s OK.”
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Silverstone later reassured her fans with an update on social media, stating, “Alive and well! Don’t worry… I didn’t swallow.”
The incident also shed light on the dangers of mistaking wild or unfamiliar plants for edible ones. GardeningKnowHow.com and MedlinePlus.gov both caution against consuming Jerusalem cherries, noting the plant’s potential to cause severe symptoms and the risk of death.
Silverstone’s video, which has garnered over 4.5 million views, serves as a reminder of the importance of identifying plants before tasting them.
The actress, who promotes a vegan lifestyle and authored The Kind Diet, continues to engage with her fans, but this recent episode highlights the risks of experimenting with unknown foods.
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