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Nightshades



Martin, Zim, and Nelson report that the fruit of Solanum spp. is eaten by a
wide variety of wildlife, from mammals to birds, and that the leaves are
eaten by some mammals, especially rodents.  None of them is reported to eat
the fruit or leaves in great quantities.

Interesting, no?  It reinforces the concept that quantity is crucial.  The
array of phytochemicals in nature is dazzling.  Birds are known to carefully
choose a variety of fruits, because they all have both valuable nutrients
and chemicals that are undesirable/toxic.  (Most 'desirable' nutrients are
detrimental, too, when consumed in excess.)    Animals obviously don't want
to eat too much toxic stuff, but it also seems likely that enzymes that
detoxify the 'poisons' are induced, to the benefit of the animal, with
low-level toxin ingestion.

Janine Perlman
Hillsborough, NC