Top Lorraine hotels
The name “bryonia” comes from the ancient Greek “bruein”, to grow, because it grows fast.The term “dioica” indicates that there are male and female bryonies: the two sexes are not on the same plant.The whole plant is toxic, especially its little red berries.Here after, the site of the French emergency poisons units:Centre antipoison
Scientific name: Bryonia dioïca. English: Red-berried bryonyFrench: Bryone, Navet du diableGerman: ZaunrübeDutch: HeggerankBelongs to the family of the CUCURBITACEAE like cucumber, gherkin, courgette! Voluble plant. Bushes and hedges.We call it « Navet du diable » (Devil’s turnip), perhaps because of its toxicity, perhaps for more “commercial” reasons:If you read “Harry Potter” or saw the movie, you probably heard about mandragora… A plant that was, in the Middle Age, supposed to have magical powers especially when grown under gibbets and “watered” by hanged men’s sperm… Actually a narcotic.A text from XVth century says (by the "voice" of Dame Transeline du Croq, probably a witch):“ …Et si vous dy que qui porroit finer d’un vray mandegloire, et le couchast en blans draps, et lui présentast à menger et à boire deux fois le jour, combien qu’il ne mengue ne boive, cellui qui ce feroit...
The taste of the fruits is supposed to be very sweet (of course, I never tried!) and children often think the fruits are bilberries.That's why they are the main victims.Here is a site devoted to French emergency poisons units:Centres anti-poisonFrom the fruits of the deadly nightshade was also made a nice green colour that was used by miniaturists in the Middle Age…A dangerous one for the painter and the reader...Remember Umberto Eco’s “Le nom de la Rose”.The term “bella dona” (nice lady) comes from the fact that the juice of the plant was used by upper-class Roman and Italian women to make the pupil of their eyes wider. Charming can be dangerous!Because of this characteristic, the plant was (still is?) used in ophthalmology.Nevertheless, the scientific name of the plant, “atropa”, seems more appropriate:Atropos was the name of the third of the Parcae… the one who cuts the thread of...
Scientific name: Atropa bella dona . English: Deadly nightshadeFrench: BelladoneGerman: TollbeereDutch: TollkirscheFamily of the SOLANACEAE. From the same family: Tobacco, potatoes and tomatoes! Grows in hedges and bushes.Deadly nightshade… Even the name is worrying. Creepy. Probably the main poisoner of local plants.Judge:In the first century AC, Dioscoride called it Strychnos manicos to underline that is was as dangerous as strychnine…In 1543, L. Fuchs mentions that he could not save several children who ate parts of the plant…In 1794, Valmont-Bomare wrote:”…Its fruit, deadly, has fast and odd effects. After roars of laughter and various gestures announcing delirium, swiftly comes a real madness soon followed by a dull stupidity and death…”.And A. Mangin in 1869:“…In 1793, young orphans from the hospice of “la Pitié” (Paris) who were employed at weeding out by the “Jardin des...
Etap Hotel Nancy Centre Nancy
1 Review and 84 Opinions Cheap and cheerful budget motel style of motel in the same chain as Formule 1, except these are a...
Novotel Metz Centre Metz
1 Review and 162 Opinions I was pleasantly surprised with the size of the room. In France, one does not expect large rooms,...
Hotel Restaurant Orchidees Verdun-sur-Meuse
9 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Lorraine attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Lorraine sightseeing.
Q: Hi, I am planning a trip, possibly, to this area in early November. I would like to know what the normal type weather is for the...
A: As before, no-one can predict what the weather will be like so far ahead...especially for a region. You can see of monthly average temps and precipitation...
Read 5 Replies
