Alicia Silverstone Raises Eyebrows After Biting Into Potentially 'Poisonous' Fruit: 'What the Heck Is This?'

The actress is set to star in Kyle Mooney's upcoming disaster comedy 'Y2K.'

August 20, 2024
Alicia Silverstone is pictured at a red carpet event
Image via Getty/Elyse Jankowski/Variety

People are raising questions after Alicia Silverstone’s recent attempt to identify a fruit she found on the street and ultimately tasted.

In her most recent TikTok video, Silverstone asked her followers for help identifying the mystery fruit.

"Okay, I’ve discovered something that I can’t figure out what it is, and I need your help," the Clueless and Blast From the Past actress, who noted that she was "in England" at the time, told her more than four million followers on Monday. "I just bit into it because it was on the street and we were discussing whether this was a tomato or not. It’s definitely not because look at these leaves. Those are the leaves. So what the heck is this?"

Silverstone then provided a closer look at the fruit in question, later stating, "I don’t think you’re supposed to eat this."

Though the fruit hasn’t been confirmed, many speculated that it might be a Jerusalem cherry, a type of fruit in the nightshade family that is considered inedible. According to the North Carolina State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox:

If ingested, the Jerusalem cherry is toxic to children, humans, cats, dogs, and horses. Gastrointestinal disturbances, seizures, respiratory depression, and shock may occur. Medical treatment should be obtained immediately if any part of the plant is ingested. Allergic skin reactions may also occur. It is best to wear protective clothing and gloves when handling the plant.

Again, the type of fruit seen in Silverstone’s video hasn’t been confirmed. Complex has reached out to Silverstone’s reps for comment. This story may be updated.

As expected, some fans have expressed concern over the potential risks of eating the mystery fruit, while others raised broader questions about the safety of tasting unknown plants in general.

In other news, on Tuesday, fans got their first look at A24’s upcoming film Y2K, where Silverstone is part of the cast in the Kyle Mooney-directed disaster comedy.

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