Day 49: How to Tell If a Plant Is Poisonous

Skill: Use the Universal Edibility Test

In the wild, not every green thing is safe. Some plants can make you sick — or worse. But if you have no food, this test can help you tell what's safe to eat.

What It Does

  • Helps you avoid poisonous plants

  • Shows if a plant is safe to eat

  • Works with leaves, roots, or berries

  • Keeps you alive when you're out of food

How to Do It (Step by Step)

Only test one part of a plant at a time — leaf, stem, root, or fruit. Never eat mushrooms with this test.

1. Smell It
If it smells bad or like chemicals, skip it.

2. Touch It to Your Skin
Rub a small piece on your wrist or inside your elbow. Wait 15 minutes. If it burns or itches — don’t eat it.

3. Touch It to Your Lips
If your skin’s fine, press the plant to your lips. Wait 15 minutes. Any tingling? Spit it out.

4. Chew and Spit
If no reaction, chew a small bite. Don’t swallow. Wait 15 minutes. If you feel sick, stop.

5. Swallow a Tiny Bite
If everything feels okay, swallow a small piece. Wait a few hours. Still okay? Then it’s likely safe.

Tips

  • Never eat plants with milky sap, three shiny leaves, or bright purple berries

  • Boil plants if you can — it removes some toxins

  • If you feel sick at any step, stop immediately

Bottom Line

This test takes time — but it can save your life.
When in doubt, leave it out.

If you are testing plants for poison you need a medkit by this one is perfect grab it above now

step by step: how to see if a plant has poison

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Day 50: How to Treat Poison Ivy

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Day 48: How to Trap Small Animals