| Are Oregon Grape Holly berries poisonous to humans? I would like to buy some but am worried that my 3 year old might try to eat a berry and get sick. |
| While I am not aware of this plant (Mahonia) being considered particularly poisonous, it is always a good idea to teach children from a very young age that they are never to eat landscape plants or even garden vegetables without checking with a grown-up first. (For example, many common landscape plants such as yews are certainly poisonous and you can't tell by looking if a vegetable has been sprayed -- and at the very least even spray-free veggies should be washed prior to eating.) You might keep the poison control telephone number handy just as a general precaution. |
| If the plant in question is just your standard Oregon grape, of the type that grow wild throughout the Pacific Northwest, you're entirely safe! The berries are actually edible, though quite sour, so most little kids don't like them. |
