Doll's Eyes

Description:

Shiny white mature fruit with dark stigma scar eerily resembles an eye, hence the common name "Doll's Eyes". While these berries are rather attractive against the still-green leaves and red stems, the berries (in fact, all parts of the plant but particularly the berries) are poisonous to humans. Birds, however, are not affected and are important in this plant's seed dispersal strategy.

Habitat:

Distribution USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC Native Distribution: P.E.I. to s. Man., s. to FL, LA & KS Native Habitat: Deciduous woods & thickets

Notes:

Spotted in the Cohutta Wilderness Area