4 ms·
The point of 'taste' is generally to find things safe to eat. It's not a 'random thing from the ground', but a fruiting body, which is almost universally safe t
by vacri 10y ago
The point of 'taste' is generally to find things safe to eat. It's not a 'random thing from the ground', but a fruiting body, which is almost universally safe to eat if it is sweet and not bitter.
- ChuckMcM 10y agoExcept the fruit in this article was sweet, AND highly toxic. I really don't think there is any scientific basis for the claim "safe if it's sweet".
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- ars 10y agoThat's exactly why this tree is so notorious. It's actually very very rare to be both sweet and toxic.
- vacri 10y agoThings in the natural world that nourish an animal generally appeal to that animal. It's why you find rotten flesh and faeces repulsive, but flies flock to it (and they don't flock to their own shit).
- finid 10y ago> The point of 'taste' is generally to find things safe to eat. Well, there were coconuts and mangoes around too, but our "medical" person chose to sample the only one he didn't know anything about. Alaskans have this thing they say about Darwin and natural selection. I Just don't recall how they frame it
- maxerickson 10y agoParts of the mango tree have urushiol in them. It's the same irritant that is in poison ivy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango#Potential_for_contact_dermatitis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango#Potential_for_contact_de... Cavalier picking of mangoes could also lead to unpleasant consequences.
- finid 10y agoAs noted in that article, you have to be a special case to be affected by parts of the mango tree. From my experience, you really have to be a special case.