Avivit Berkovich, an expert on collecting wild plants for food and medicine and author of The Nature Lover’s Guide, emphasizes the importance of properly identifying plants to avoid accidents. She has seen firsthand how people can mistake poisonous plants for edible ones and the potential dangers that can arise from ingesting or coming into contact with them.
Berkovich warns that some plants, like hemlock, can be confused with common edible plants like parsley, but can be toxic. Proper plant identification involves examining multiple parts of the plant to ensure correct identification. One example she cites is the danger of mistaking the hemlock plant for parsley, which can have serious effects on the nervous system if ingested.
She also warns about the risks associated with absorbing toxins from plants, such as the woman who experienced paralysis after coming into close contact with a poisonous plant while cleaning her garden. Berkovich emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential dangers of wild plants and taking precautions to avoid accidental poisoning.
It is important for individuals who are interested in collecting wild plants for food or medicine to do thorough research and seek guidance from experts before attempting to identify any wild species. With proper knowledge and caution, it is possible to safely collect wild garlic and other types of garlic in Israel without risking harm to oneself or others.