The tropics have no greater proportion of poisonousplants than the United States. If you’re in doubt aboutwhether plants are poisonous or nonpoisonous, observethe habits of vegetable-eating animals, such as birds,rodents, monkeys, baboons, and bears. Usually thefoods these animals eat are safe for humans. Cook allplant foods because cooking removes plant poisons(except those in poisonous mushrooms).NOTEAvoid eating plants that taste bitter. Also avoideating untested plants that have milky juices.Don’t let the milky juice contact your skin.You may eat most animals. However, some, likemollusks, may introduce parasites into your body,especially if you eat them uncooked or when they aren’tfresh. Crustaceans are almost always edible, but theyspoil rapidly and may harbor harmful parasites. Be sureto cook the freshwater variety; eat the saltwater varietyraw if you desire.You have no simple way of telling whether a fish isedible. That depends on the place in which they live,their source of food, or even the season of the year.Often fish that are edible in one area of the world are notin another. At first, eat only small portions of any fish. Ifyou feel no ill effects, you can probably continue to eatthe fish safely.15-21Student Notes:Figure 15-13.—Water chestnut.Figure 15-14.—Nut grass.Figure 15-15.—Bullrush.
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
