W.Schuster

Bad Plant: Red Baneberry

Red baneberries are part of the Anthophyta phylum and are a member of the buttercup family. They are commonly called red baneberries but their scientific name is Actaea rubra. These plants are generally found in cool, moist, nutrient filled soil. A red baneberry plant is deciduous. They fruits are showing and are poisonous,there are usually 4-10 cream colored pedals, and the seeds are a light brown color. All parts of this plant are poisonous, but the roots are the most. If this plant is eaten, it will usually attack the nervous system over time. But shortly after eaten, a person will have burning of the mouth and throat, salvation, severe stomach aches, headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, and hallucinations. Many children in Europe have died from eating the berries of this plant. If the juice from the berries comes in contact with human skin, then it will cause blistering. But oddly, some birds and small animals can eat the berries and not be harmed them. When growing, they grow upward in big clusters. They grow next to white baneberries and are usually grouped together, even though they are different. When the berries are fully grown, they are red, but when they aren't fully grown they can be white or pink. Some people call them "doll's eyes" for obvious reasons, they look like the eyes that are in children's dolls. These plants were used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes until they realized they were harmful, which is how we know to be careful with them now.

Good Plant: Wild Strawbery

Wild starwberries are also a part of the Anthophyta phylum. The name wild strawberry is not the plants original name, they are scientifically called Fragarla vescas. Being a member of the rose family, they are very close to Blackberries and Raspberries.These plants are generally found in moist, fertile, well drained areas in the sun. They are very common plants in Illinois. It is very common for wild strawberries to be grown in someone's backyard. This is because they have bright color which adds to a garden. Also they are very easy to grow and they do not send out runners. The only bad thing about growing them in your garden may be that the bear fruits and must be picked every day. They bloom in early spring and continues through fall. Habitats for many plants are different, this particalar plant likes meadows and woodlands. They are grown in containers, hanging baskets, berry patches, and edging in gardens. Usually, they are about 9 inches tall and spread about 9 inches from the roots. Once fully grown, the leaves are dark green, the flowers have 5 white pedals, and the seeds are dark brown. The flowers of these plants attract many birds and insects. These plants have many different uses which includes medicines to treat liver disease and help diabetes, juices and teas, berries to eat, and cosmetically used to lighten freckles and whiten teeth. These plants are useful and have been dated back to the Stone Age. There has actually been a movie name Wild Strawberries after them which was produced in 1957. Wild strawberries are very common in many places and well known as well.

Works Cited:

"Wild Strawberry Health Benefits of Wild Strawberry." Plants Medical Plants Medicinal Plants Medicinal Herbs. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/wild_strawberry.html.

"Wild Strawberry (Fragaria Virginiana)." Illinois Wildflowers. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/wld_strawberryx.htm.

"Facts on Wild Strawberry Plants Which Fruit Tree." Find Fruit Trees for Sale and Buy Fruit Trees Online WhichFruitTree.com. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. http://www.whichfruittree.com/strawberries/.

"Actaea Rubra, Red Baneberry." Rook.Org Home Page. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/herbs/actaearubra.html.

Guides, Step. "Actaea Rubra (Red Baneberry) NPIN." Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACRU2.

"Wild Strawberries." Flower Garden Gardening Tips Garden Design and More... Web. 13 Feb. 2012. http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Wild_Strawberries.