"doozer" wrote in message
...
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
doozer wrote:


...

Potatoes are curious vegetables.

They are ftom te same family as datura, belladonna, and several other
members oa a family most of which are deadly poisonous, and used in the
manufacture of witches ointment.

I think tomatoes are in the same family.

It is reckoned that potatoes would not pass FDA regulatuions if they
ever had to take the test...


I believe that, like runner beans they were originally grown here as a
curiosity and for its rumoured aphrodisiac qualities - they were known as
"pommes d'amour" or "love apples".


Yes tomatoes are in the same family. I was surprised when I found that
out because the plants are so different. Eating the leaves of tomatoes
is a bad idea .oO(hopes that we get some sun this year so the tomatoes
grow).

Potato fruits look like small green aubergines (another of the solanacea)
My nickname comes from my love of a particularly attractive member of the
same family.
http://www.brugmansia.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
(under construction due to tuit deficiency ;-)


The process of metal extraction by plants is called phytomining BTW.
Perhaps we could use potatoes to get rich extracting heavy metals from
the ground. There is so little arsenic in the ground (generally) that
there is not danger from poisoning. I believe that is some naturally
occurring arsenic in Cornwall but it is at levels where even if a plant
accumulates it there is no danger. Apparently, and this may be urban
legend or just plain bad science, people that consume tiny amounts of
arsenic live longer.

I'd avoid it myself :-(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/252308.stm

Jeremy