The evergreen Daphne oleoides is a two-foot shrub with blue-green leaves (similar to those of the olive tree, as its name indicates), white-yellow flowers, and light red berries. Eating just a few of the flowers or berries especially by children causes serious poisoning: intense diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, and cramps. The lethal dose for a child is 10 to 12 berries. Just touching the plant may cause inflammation of the skin. The toxic substance is merzerein. Southwestern Asia (including Turkey ), Southern Europe, North Africa , up to altitudes of 10,500 feet .
