'She's clearly clueless': Alicia Silverstone sparks concern after eating fruit. What is a Jerusalem cherry and why can't you eat them?
The 47-year-old actress posted a video on TikTok of herself eating a fruit that many users have identified as toxic.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Alicia Silverstone sparked concerns online for her health with a recent video she posted where she's walking around England and eating a fruit she picked off of a shrub. The 47-year-old actress had fans worried after she took to TikTok on Tuesday with a clip where she's seen eating a tomato-looking fruit that many identified as toxic.
"I've discovered something that I can't figure out what it is and I need your help," the "Clueless" actress began saying in her video, as she showed off a small, bright orange fruit she picked off the sidewalk. "I just bit into it because it was on the street and we were discussing whether this was a tomato or not."
After accidentally dropping it, she said "it's definitely not because look at theses leaves," as she pointed her camera to the bush of the fruit. "Those are the leaves. So, what the heck is this? ... I don't think you're supposed to eat this. It's almost like a pepper? Does anyone know what this is?"
Across more than 14,000 comments, people shared notes indicating she's probably correct — this isn't something you should eat.
"Jerusalem cherry. It's mildly poisonous," one person indicated.
"She's clearly clueless," someone joked, referencing the iconic 1995 movie where she played lead character Cher.
"Eating random stuff from bushes when you don't know what it is is a level of non-anxiety that I can only aspire to," one person wrote.
"Solanum pseudocapsicum, commonly known as the Jerusalem cherry," another commented.
Silverstone calmed the worries of most fans in a follow-up post, where she noted she's "alive and well!" and wrote "don't worry... I didn't swallow."
What is the Jerusalem cherry?
Solanum pseudocapsicum — commonly known as the Jerusalem cherry, Christmas cherry or winter cherry — is a plant from the nightshade species that's actually native to South America, according to Gardening Know How. The fruit it bears are full of seeds, and their bright colours — a deep orange or red — offer a popular pop of colour in people's homes when they appear in the fall and winter. In summer, they bloom white flowers with yellow stamens.
Where is the Jerusalem cherry found?
Jerusalem cherry plants are native to South America, coming from countries like Peru and Ecuador. While they might be grown as houseplants in some countries, other parts of the world like areas in South Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand consider them weeds.
Even though the plant thrives best in warm subtropical or tropical climates, they have been introduced to more temperate parts of the world across North America, Europe and Asia.
Is the Jerusalem cherry dangerous?
Rachel Meyer, an associate adjunct professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, told Entertainment Weekly the plant "is mildly poisonous but a couple of fruits won't hurt." She added the worst effect you'd see if you consume a small amount of the fruit is vomiting.
The Northern Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox indicated the plant, if ingested, can be toxic to children, adults and pets. Eating too much of it could lead to issues like gastrointestinal disturbances, seizures, respiratory depression and shock. Gardening Know How added any part of the plant that's ingested could lead to poisoning or even death.
What should you do if you eat a poisonous fruit?
On top of the fruits of a Jerusalem cherry, there are a bunch of other berries and wild fruits that, even if they look nutritious or leave your mouth water, might not be healthy to consume. Luckily, if you or a loved one are outdoors and accidentally eat a berry you think might be poisonous, it's best not to panic.
Dr. Brad Dahl of the Utah Poison Control Center explained even if someone consumes a poisonous fruit that's growing outside, there's "plenty of time" before major issues arise. Moreover, he shared there are "very few things out there that are that poisonous that we're going to run into real problems."
Still, it's a good idea to contact a health-care professional or poison control centre if you suspect you or a loved one is in trouble. The Ontario Poison Centre (OPC) wrote it "receives many calls about children who have eaten or touched a plant that may be poisonous." In turn, it urges people to be aware of the plants growing in their area and to follow its plant safety information to keep people safe.
If you're calling a poison control centre like the OPC, you'll likely be asked about symptoms, identity of the plant consumed, how much was eaten and how long ago the instance occurred. To prevent potential illnesses, teach kids to ask before they put something in their mouth, don't assume plants are safe to consume even if wildlife eat them and keep berries out of reach from young children.
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