The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an aroid. All aroids contain calcium oxalate crystals but so does Parsley, Chives, Cassava, Spinach, Beet leaves, Carrot, Radish, Collards, Bean, Brussels sprouts, Garlic, Lettuce, Watercress, Sweet potato, Turnip, Broccoli, Celery, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Cabbage, Tomato, Pea, Turnip greens, Potato, Onion, Okra, Pepper, Squash, Cucumbers, Corn and quite a few other vegetables. You eat it almost daily and sometimes you don't like the taste. Guess why? People, especially kids, often don't like the taste. Do you think that might explain why kids don't like spinach? Aroids have been eaten by humans for over 10,000 years. The Chinese began to develop aroids as a commercial food crop long ago and many are now served in Asia, Polynesia, Hawaii, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Have you ever eaten Poi in Hawaii or Callaloo in Jamaica? That is an aroid known to science as Colocasia esculenta. Now I would never recommend anyone deliberately take a bite of an aroid since calcium oxalate crystals can burn your mouth and throat. There have been only two cases anyone can verify where the person had severe reactions but in almost all cases a doctor will only observe the patient to make sure some other problem is not observed and then send them home to recover. There is a big difference between a "poison" and a plant that tastes bad but people on the internet cannot seem to make that distinction. So how does all this "junk science" end up on the internet, especially on pet websites and those that warn new mothers? Someone reads something they don't fully understand and assumes they mean "poisonous". They then tell a friend all aroids are poisonous. The friend believes them and repeats it but likely with some embellishment. The next friend does the same and on and on it goes. Finally the last friend to hear it posts it on the internet and thousands of people read it and immediately accept it as the truth without opening a single scientific text. The problem is now so widespread I have been receiving mail asking "if I touch a ceramic pot that contains a ZZ plant, will I die". My first response is "hogwash" and my first question is "where did you read this? I serve on the board of governors of the International Aroid Society and am encouraging our board to post an article on the IAS website www.Aroid.org in which one of our scientists will finally post the scientific facts about aroids and calcium oxalate crystals. Most of you don't believe everything you receive in your mailbox claiming "Canola oil is a poison", "Saran Wrap in the microwave can kill you", or "there are needles in gas pumps all over the world containing the HIV virus". We question such crazy claims but we just accept an equally crazy notion if it is found on a website! If a cat or other animal takes a nibble of an aroid they will likely never touch it again since it tastes bad. The plants contain tiny needle-like raphides that can irrigate your mouth and throat. But if they come back there must be some attractant so the best you can do is keep it out of reach. Are you aware the so called "deadly" Dieffenbachia is regularly eaten by a specific tribe of Indians in Ecuador? I have a friend that has eaten it and she says it is delicious! I have eaten aroids for many years and love them. You can buy aroid cookbooks on Amazon.com If you have accepted such stories as fact please take just a few minutes and read this link. Once you check the scientific sources quoted you may just change your mind. Steve Lucas www.ExoticRainforest.com Secretary, The International Aroid Society Here is a link that might be useful: Facts about Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Looks like quince to me as well. We have a large tree in our yard that I used to think was an apple tree. Now I'm thinking its a quince! It is about 15 feet high. Last year it produced a good amount of fruit that was eaten by the deer, crows and squirrels. They left me a single fruit that was as large as a grapefruit. It wasn't quite as sweet as an apple but it was still tasty. Here are two links that may answer some of your other questions. Links that might be useful: http://deliciousdays.blog.com/2012/04/09/learn-about-the-characteristics-and-uses-of-quince-fruit/ http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/quinces/

Hi Mac Girl, How long have they been in the ground? Your earlier post asking about planting them was only dated May 31. Be patient, as long as the bulbs were in reasonabley good condition they should grow fine. Keep them watered but don't drown them. If they are in a sunny spot they'll come up faster than in a (cooler) shady garden. I recently bought some end of season sale lilies from Brent and Beckys on May 22. I bought Speciosum Album and Scheherezade. The bulbs were plump and moist but didn't have a lot of roots. I was more surprised when the Album came up in just a few days, then by the Scheherezade which is just starting to come up now after a couple weeks. I normally expect to wait at least a few weeks for lily bulbs to emerge. (But then I've never bought bulbs in the late spring before.) Be careful poking around checking their progress. (I can't resist doing that either! ) :) -Helen

Great rule of thumb! You should see me walking hunched over in my yard, counting leaves on the MANY weeds... I'm sure my neighbor thinks I'm a lunatic. ;-) Thanks for the replies (and the congrats)!