Written by So, much like the poinsettia that I sketched a few days ago, today’s little holiday plant is even more poisonous. These bright red berries seem to pop up everywhere during the Christmas season, and the plant itself looks like it’s almost made of plastic, making it hard to tell the difference between a fake one and the real thing. Yet he prickly leaves thankfully sort of send a foreboding message to stand back and be wary. Actually, the poison is theobromine, which is a stimulant related to caffeine and is the same poison that naturally occurs in chocolate, albeit at a much lower dose. Apparently, if a child or dog eats a couple of berries it won’t do much damage, but 20 berries can be fatal. So, this little killer plant couldn’t be less suited for a season like this one, which is filled with over-excited children and their dogs. But, who am I to argue with tradition.
These little bits of trivia fascinate me, yet I’m not sure many people aren’t that interested in holly berries. If you search for “holly berry” on Google, it will automatically assume you’re daft and must have been looking for information about the actress, Halle Berry. If, indeed, searching for holly berry information is popular this time of year, than Ms. Berry is experiencing a wonderful burst of free publicity. And thankfully for Halle, any reference to poison promptly removes the beautiful actress from the search results. I’ve wandered off a tangent again, but after discovering this, I lost all interest in berries and just started wondering what Halle Berry has done since the last X-Men wrapped. This is just how my mind works and it’s a wonder I’m able to get anything accomplished at all.
It’s sleeting here and the streets are getting icy in anticipation of the snow that we’re supposed to get tomorrow. For my part, I’m hidden indoors and ready to enjoy a quiet evening at home with Philippe and Phineas. And since it’s Friday, I have a little wine to complete the tableau. Come to think of it, we don’t actually have any real versions of the popular holiday plants in the house since, as you now know if you’ve been following along, the majority of them are toxic to Phineas. But, I hope all of you are enjoying a wonderful evening with your favorite people this Friday night. We’re just a week away from Christmas and I’m already starting to get anxious and excited! For all of you out there who celebrate it, I hope you’re excited as well! Just remember, to let your inner child go wild, while just keeping enough adult wits about you to avoid eating the holly berries.
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Sennelier Red, Red Orange, Indian Yellow, Phthalo. Green Light, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Deep, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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Beautifully done! I have a small bush of holly next to my house. It doesn’t produce any berries, but still it’s very pretty. 🙂 Merry Christmas, Charlie!
Thanks so much, Sibella! 😃💕 Awww, your holly bush sounds lovely and beautiful for the season! Merry Christmas to you as well!
So pretty!
Thanks so much! 😃💕
Aw, it’s beautiful! You can’t help but smile, even knowing the dangers (I too always took those leaves as a very firm instruction to stay away!) Eek, things are starting to get properly festive now, aren’t they? I might even put a tree up this weekend 😉 Enjoy the snow!
Thanks so much, Jacob! 😃💕 Yeah…. those leaves are terrifying! Lol You better put up a tree!!! It’s time man! Don’t dawdle!! hehe
Very nice Charlie!
Thanks so much, Annie! 😃💕
This is excellent Charlie!
Aww thanks, Deborah! That’s so kind of you to say!! 😃💕
Thank you for telling me that Holly Berries are poisenous, I really didn,t know!
This plant looks so nice and also your Doodlewash and I am sure that your painted Holly Berries are not poisenous.
Wish you a nice Saturday Charlie!
Thanks so much, Margriet! 😃💕 Yep… doodlewashes are always safe! hehe… but yeah… so many Christmas plants aren’t apparently. Hope you have a wonderful Saturday as well my friend!
Yes, google really thinks they know better than you what you are searching for…one of their unendearing qualities.
The colors here are so beautiful. Good job! (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 Yeah… Google is pretty certain of itself for sure! I remember how happy I was when it finally decided that “doodlewash” was indeed a word! Yay! lol
Your painting of the holly is beautiful – I love the splashes of blue in the green leaves – a bit of magic that has no scientific reason but looks perfect.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one!