Fatsia japonica

September 14, 2009

Question:

I want advice on my Fatsia japonica (false castor oil) that has this year flowered and now has black berries. I read somewhere that the berries are poisonous but when you search online you get mixed reports. I have a young boy and don’t want to risk him eating anything that could cause him harm.

Answer:

I had not heard that the Fatsia Japonica was poisonous so did some research myself. Most of the websites I use regularly do not mention that it is (including the RHS). However, I did find one that did state that the seed and other parts of the plant were indeed poisonous. I think I would tend to err on the safe side and assume that it is poisonous. You could pull it up or replant it somewhere that your son does not have access.

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