Warning after hunter eats poisonous tutu berries, has seizures

Tutu berries are purple or black and about the size of blueberries. They taste sweet but are highly toxic. Photo / Supplied by Department of Conservation

A 51 year-old hunter has had seizures and been admitted to Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit after eating poisonous tutu berries.

The man is now recovering and Canterbury DHB has issued a warning about the toxic fruit, saying trampers and day walkers shouldn't eat unidentified purple or black native berries.

The man was hunting in the South Island and ate a significant amount of tutu berries, which he didn't realise were highly toxic.

Tutu shrubs (Coriaria arborea) are common along bush tracks and river banks throughout the country.

During summer the plants produce purple and black fruit that are a similar size to blueberries. They taste sweet, but, along with most other parts of the plant, contain the poison tutin.

A specific antidote for the toxin doesn't exist.

Dr Paul Gee, Canterbury DHB emergency medicine specialist, said suspected and/or confirmed cases of tutu poisoning are reported every year.

Although almost all patients recover, deaths have been reported in the past.

Tourists have had unexplained seizures and collapses after eating the berries.

Livestock - and allegedly circus elephants - have also died after eating tutu.

Tutu berries

• Tutu berries are purple or black berries, about the same size as blueberries.

• They are sweet but highly toxic.

• If you or someone else eats them contact the National Poisons Centre on 0800 POISON (0800 764 766).

• Medical treatment is almost always required.