White Snowberry

A native shrub found throughout much of Canada in woods and open slopes. The plant is also used as an ornamental shrub in many areas. The white berries contain the isoquinoline alkaloid chelidonine, as well as other alkaloids. Ingesting the berries causes mild symptoms of vomiting, dizziness, and slight sedation in children. The risk of severe poisoning does not appear great because of vomiting that occurs after ingestion. Children should be discouraged from eating the attractive white fruit.