Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Good things to know » Poisonous plants easily mistaken for harmless ones » Coriaria japonica (Coriariaceae)

Coriaria japonica (Coriariaceae)

This deciduous low tree grows in mountainous areas and it grows to a height of about 1.5 meters. Flower blooms from April to May, the fruit is red at first, but later ripens into dark purple color. Fruit is beautiful and sweet therefore it is often mistaken as edible.

Characteristics

Habitat	It grows in sunny places such as hills and valleys, and dry riverbed.
Parts of the plant that may be ingested accidentally.	Fruit, young buds, etc.
Symptoms	Vomiting, cramps, breathing difficulties, etc.
Venomous constituents	Coriamyrtin, tutin, coriarin and especially poisonous coriamyrtin. Whole plantis poisonous.

Coriaria japonica fruits

Coriaria japonica