Tag: Potato leaves

According to the Poison Control website, eating regular potato greens can cause serious symptoms, so are potato vine leaves edible? The answer depends entirely on the type of potato plant you are considering, as one is highly toxic while the other is a nutritious green vegetable. The confusion stems from the unrelated common potato and sweet potato plants, one a nightshade and the other a morning glory.

Potato plants belong to the nightshade family, and like their notorious relatives, their leaves are highly toxic. What happens if you eat potato leaves is a serious medical emergency, as the foliage contains poisonous compounds that can lead to severe illness.

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, all green parts of a potato plant contain a toxic glycoalkaloid called solanine, meaning what do potato leaves do to the body is cause serious illness. This critical fact separates the delicious, nutritious potato tuber from the dangerous foliage that grows above ground. While potatoes are a dietary staple worldwide, consuming their leaves, stems, or green parts can lead to severe health complications and should always be avoided.

As members of the toxic nightshade family, all green parts of the common potato plant (Solanum tuberosum), including the leaves, contain harmful compounds known as glycoalkaloids. So, what does potato leave do in the body when ingested? It can cause dangerous and potentially life-threatening poisoning.