Tag: Poisonous weeds

Over 2,000 species belong to the *Euphorbia* genus, and a defining characteristic of many, including *Euphorbia maculata*, is the presence of a toxic, milky latex sap. This common weed, known as spotted spurge, is definitively not edible and can cause serious health issues if ingested or handled improperly.

While some historical uses of mayweed are noted, stinking mayweed (Anthemis cotula) has an edibility rating of just 1 out of 5, a consequence of its bitter taste, unpleasant odor, and significant health risks when consumed.

Over a million Americans are affected by plant poisoning each year, and a common garden weed often mistaken for an edible plant, petty spurge, is a key hazard. The critical question, "Can you eat petty spurge?", requires a definitive and urgent safety warning for anyone interested in foraging or wild foods.