DOLL'S EYES

The proper name for these berries is ‘White Baneberry’, although they’re commonly known as ‘Dolls Eyes’ – for obvious reasons. The entire plant (leaves and stem as well as the berries) is considered highly poisonous to humans. The berries contain carcinogenic toxins that have an immediate sedative effect on human cardiac muscle tissue. Ingestion can lead to cardiac arrest and death. However, the berries are harmless to birds, which are the primary seed distributors of the plant. I spotted these growing in the woods on our property. (The wind was constant so I gave up on a well-focused shot.)