Definition

1. Noun:
   • A North American herb with white poisonous berries: "Doll's eyes" refers to a specific perennial plant native to eastern North America, scientifically known as Actaea pachypoda. It is characterized by its distinctive fruit, which are white berries with a single black dot, resembling the eyes of a traditional doll. The entire plant, especially the berries and roots, is highly toxic to humans.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • We identified doll's eyes growing in the shady forest understory. (We identified the doll's eyes plant growing in the shady forest understory.)
  • The bright white berries of doll's eyes are a warning of their toxicity. (The bright white berries of the doll's eyes plant are a warning of their toxicity.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in botanical and ecological contexts: The term is primarily used in field guides, botanical studies, and by naturalists to describe this specific plant species and its identifying features.
  • Hikers are cautioned to avoid touching or eating doll's eyes. (Hikers are cautioned to avoid touching or eating the berries of the Actaea pachypoda plant.)

Variants and Related Words

• White baneberry: A common alternative name for the same plant ().
• Actaea pachypoda: The scientific binomial name for the species.

Synonyms

• White baneberry: This is the most direct synonym, referring to the same plant.
• Doll's-eyes: A hyphenated variant spelling of the term.

Related Phrases

• "As poisonous as doll's eyes": A comparative phrase (though not a fixed idiom) that might be used to emphasize extreme toxicity, drawing on the plant's notorious reputation.
  • That substance is as poisonous as doll's eyes. (That substance is extremely toxic, like the berries of the white baneberry plant.)

Noun

1. North American herb with white poisonous berries