Content
- The leaves and fruits of the pear: poisonous or not?
- Confusion about edible fruits and toxic ingredients
- These symptoms can occur when eating the seed kernels
- Avoid risks and enjoy the fruits of the rock pear carefree
- Tips
The fruits of the rock pear are edible
The leaves and fruits of the pear: poisonous or not?
While the pear was once considered to be an important fruit tree, nowadays it is increasingly being used for the planting of hedges and as a malleable specimen plant. There is confusion among hobby gardeners, however, over the question of whether the rock pear is actually poisonous or not.
Confusion about edible fruits and toxic ingredients
The harmlessness of the pear tree speaks that their edible fruits are not only processed into jams and jellies, but can also be eaten fresh. However, e.g. The leaves of the common pear (Amelanchier ovalis) contain toxins, which is why children and pets with limited taste sensation should not nibble on the leaves in the leaves (which actually warn against consumption) in the leaves. Even more important, however, is the fact that cyanogenic glycosides are contained in the seed kernels of fruits, which could theoretically lead to hydrogen cyanide poisoning when consuming larger amounts. However, most of the seeds of the rock pear are excreted undigested when consumed fresh and it must be taken quite large amounts to cause real symptoms of intoxication.
These symptoms can occur when eating the seed kernels
With their content of hydrocyanic acid, the seed kernels of the rock pear are comparable to the toxin content of apple pits. If too much of the kernels are picked up (especially with unripe fruits), the following symptoms may occur:
As an immediate measure should be drunk with these symptoms, larger amounts of liquid (tea, juice, water), then immediately if possible a doctor should be consulted to rule out further complications.
Avoid risks and enjoy the fruits of the rock pear carefree
In order to prevent risks associated with the consumption of the fruit of a pear, especially children should not eat the fruit to a greater extent fresh. Since the contained hydrocyanic acid is decomposed during cooking, jams from the fruits can be consumed without hesitation. In addition, care can also be taken to eat the fruits only without the contained seed kernels.
Tips
Even with varieties of the pear pear with poisonous leaves, only the consumption of leaves and pits holds a potential risk at all. Recesses and other care measures can be carried out safely even without gloves.