Durian!? Kiwi!? Something that looked like a tropical fruit was growing along a certain main road in the city!
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At the base of this maple-like tree (trident maple, maybe?)
there’s clearly a different plant growing!
When we got closer…
Is this a durian!? It looks like a tropical fruit, but those spikes have a pretty intense vibe.
By the way, it’s only about the size of something that fits in your palm, so it’s definitely not a durian〜🤔(Obviously!)
…Well then, let’s ask again this time…
“🔎Google Lens” sensei〜!!
What〜!? Morning glory? It looks like a small shrub, but it has this kind of shape〜!
So we immediately looked up “Chōsen-asagao” (朝鮮朝顔), and ↓
※ Screenshot from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website
Whoa! Apparently it is highly toxic! What a surprise!!
Yes! Because that tropical fruit-like pod, the seeds resembling sesame, the roots resembling burdock, and the flowers and buds resembling okra can all be mistaken for food, it seems people accidentally eat them and suffer poisoning every year😱
It can also apparently cause skin irritation if touched.
It’s growing on the roadside, so I don’t think anyone would accidentally eat it, but please absolutely do not pick it, break it off, or take it home〜!
Added on 11/17 (Wed.)
We received several emails asking us to contact the city because this might be a place where children pass by, so we consulted the always-helpful “Nishinomiya City Parks and Greenery Division”〜!
So this time, since multiple people are concerned because children may pass by, people connected to nurseries may pass by, or they feel uneasy using the road, we’ll first confirm whether it really is Chōsen-asagao, and once confirmed, we plan to cut it down〜!
That’s what they told us!
Thank you to the Parks and Greenery Division for handling this🙇
※By the way, Chōsen-asagao is not a variety that is prohibited from planting. The seeds are sold normally too.
Also, regarding plants you often see that neighbors have planted on their own around the base of trees planted by the city, although this isn’t handled by the Parks Division, it seems the person who planted them will be contacted and asked to move them or cut them down. Kind of gentle that they don’t just cut them immediately. lol
Finally
I was surprised that a dangerous plant was growing on a sidewalk〜!
We’ll refrain from sharing the location, but please remember this spiky fruit and make sure not to touch it🙋
