The aubergines have been very successful this year and have produced a number of large glossy purple/black fruits. I love the idea that they (including tomatoes, potatoes & capsicum) are all from the nightshade or Solanaceae family and potentially so dangerous with their vast and interesting mix of alkaloid properties! Which reminds me of a wonderful book that I discovered recently by Amy Stewart - Wicked Plants, The weed that killed Lincoln's mother & other botanical atrocities. This is a book which explores the realm of poisonous and deadly plants and the science, history and folklore surrounding them - it's a fascinating read with lovely ink illustrations reminiscent of old botanical texts but with a modern twist.
There are a number of famous gardens which highlight these types of plants - the most famous being that at Alnwick in England. I rather like the idea of a garden of plant 'prisoners'.
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