Monday, February 11, 2008

Seeded


This is the same Cardboard Plant (Zamia Furfuracea) I posted a photo of here. When ripe, the female cone breaks to reveal an array of tightly packed, bright red seeds.

Just goes to prove - you can never judge a book by its cover!


Btw - can you guess why the seeds are not eaten?

20 comments:

Kate said...

Isabella, I suspect that the seeds are poisonous or at the very least toxic to humans and animals. The colour is very bright and very enticing, I'm sure. Followed your link, and you're right, looks can be deceptive. It looks pretty non-descript before it ripens and breaks open.

Chris said...

I'm going to agree with Kate and say that I bet their poisonous.

Anonymous said...

I agree that they are indeed poisonous. They are a pretty color red though.

freefalling said...

Oh, it looks like a pomegranate (or what I like to call, the stupidest fruit ever invented).
Ummmm - it gives you diarrheoa (sorry, just living up to expectations!)?

Peter said...

They look and most probably are poisonous! (Seems to be a general opinion from what I can see from the above comments.)

Anonymous said...

It certainly make a nice photograph. Brilliant color.

Steve Buser said...

Brilliant reds. Strange that doesn't translate into good eating. Poisonous seems to be the odds on favorite. Any chance though that they are filled with creepy crawly things?
--steve buser
New Orleans Daily Photo

Mandy said...

I believe they are very toxic and attack your kidneys. I tend to avoid most things red.

Anonymous said...

So much for the outside. I never would have guessed from seeing these grey/brown cones that they could harbour such beautiful red seeds.

In nature the colour red usually signals "dangerous" to would-be predators. Toxic seeds, poisonous ? Come on, somebody, come up with a more creative reason.

They stink.
They run away when you try to grab them.
They bite back when you try to bite them.
They scream and call their lawyer when you try to touch them.
They melt in your hand before they have a chance to melt in your mouth.
They are the King's property and you risk the death penalty if you take just one
They taste of rotten fish.
Oh bugger, leave them alone!

Isabella, your dreams (nightmares) of a couple of days ago were quite hilarious. Thanks for sharing them with us.

JAM said...

That's a great find. I've never seen them before, though the cones remind me of the ones on magnolia trees.

Uma por Dia said...

because they are toxid?

rauf said...

Name is attractive and so is the looks of them.
i have seen some sticky red seeds like these, very bitter,
Must be toxic. Disable the flash and take another picture Izzidee.
Hope you have recovered from fever and feeling fine. Your halucination is our joy, we get to see great pictures on your page.

Jilly said...

So pretty - I agree with AraratDP, looks a little like pomegranate seeds - surely poisonous tho. Love all Nathalie's suggestions!

Nikon said...

Very brilliant reds.
Perhaps it has a terrible smell & nothing wants to eat it?

Steve Cuddihy said...

Yet more stuff in the warmer climate areas that I never knew existed. Very colorful with the red, those are amazing looking.

You'll have to forgive me, I'm going through another winter with lack of color aside from white snow, brown snow, black snow, and yellow snow here and there. Strange eh?

I have learned that night photos in the winter months can make up for the lack of colors during the dark and cold winter months.

Twin Cities Daily Photo

Peter said...

I really liked to see Nathalie's efforts to find alternative answers!!

Susan said...

Wonderfully red, though perhaps poisonous.

isa said...

Yes, the seeds are toxic. There are reports of even some dogs dying after consuming them...

LOL! Isn't Nathalie just the most creative? Thanks to her and all of you for stopping by!

Isadora said...

How interesting and colorful this is. From the outside one would never guess the beautiful secret inside. Just like people, wouldn't you agree?

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

ooow I think they are NOT red for nothing they must be poisioned, animls know that? Don't you think so too?