BELLADONNA – ATROPA BELLADONNA

This plant looks fantastic in autumn when its fruit – berries ripen. This is the right time to be very careful while gathering the eatable fruit of some plants. Alkaloid – atropine derived from this plant is used by oculist to dilate the pupils, and with some ancient nations, women used the plant to make them appear more seductive.

WOLF’S BANE – ACONITUM VULPERIA SUBSP. PANTOCSKIANUM

This taxon represents an endemic subspecies chiefly native to the mountains of south and central Europe. All the parts of the plant contain extremely poisonous aconite, and it is probably the most poisonous plant in Europe.

WHITE HELLEBORE – VERATRUM ALBUM

This plant is well known and widespread through our mountains. Cattle don’t eat it, and it may happen for people to confuse it with the leaves of wild-garlic which may lead to poisoning manifested through headache, vomiting, high temperature, etc.

ALPINE HONEYSUCKLE ( Lonicera alpigena )

Deciduous plant that blooms during May. Its flowers are pink and its ripe fruit is dark red and inedible.

SPURGE LAUREL – DAPHNE MEZEREUM

The name of this plant in our language comes from its utility value. According to a legend, brigands (haiduk) used to make and tie their footwear (peasant shoes) in its shape, represented in its bark. It blooms only in spring and its flower is colorful; that is why it is called “forest lilac” in some parts.

LILY OF THE VALLEY – CONVALLARIA MAJALIS

It blooms around Đurđev day, thus its name in our language. Its flowers are bell-shaped and white and its leaves are similar to those of wild garlic, so when picking wild garlic one should be very careful. Since it contains toxic alkaloids and glycosides, it is used in official medicine for treating heart disorders, this being the reason that it is sparse in its natural habitats.