Looking for the answers and hints for the Strands puzzle from October 23, 2025? You’ve come to the right place! Every day, we archive the solutions to help you check your work or get that final clue you need. Below you will find all the answers for yesterday’s Strands challenge.
Strands Hints for October 23, 2025
Here are all the official hints to guide you toward the solution.
- This shrub often seen in Southern gardens shares its name with a music festival in Atlanta, but it's not for listening to - keep it out of your mouth!
- You may think of Socrates when you encounter this evergreen, but don't let its historical significance tempt you into trying it!
- Despite its deceptive name suggesting vulpine cunning, this plant's beauty is a treacherous façade; best keep your hands to yourself here.
- Its name might remind you of a classic Italian beauty, but like the femme fatales of ancient lore, consuming it could prove deadly.
- If you're considering a stroll in the Mediterranean, remember this ornamental shrub's name is deceivingly sweet, but it's anything but a treat.
Spoiler Warning!
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Strands Answer for October 23, 2025
Here is the final, official answer for the Strands puzzle that was released on October 23, 2025.
Today's New York Times Strands puzzle features a chilling theme that might sound like a dire warning to any would-be foragers: "Please don't eat me!" This admonition is well warranted, as each of the words in today's puzzle is the name of a plant that is notorious for its toxic properties—quite literally, they are poisonous. Intriguingly, "POISONOUS" also serves as the pangram for today's Strands, meaning it uses every letter of the alphabet at least once—a fitting tribute to the lethal botanical lineup.
The word AZALEA refers to a flowering shrub that brightens gardens with its vibrant blooms. While azaleas are a delight to the eyes, ingesting any part of this plant can be dangerous. The leaves and nectar, especially, contain andromedotoxins that can lead to health problems like nausea, vomiting, and weakness in both humans and animals.
The term HEMLOCK often brings to mind the notorious beverage that led to the demise of the philosopher Socrates. Hemlock is a highly toxic plant, with its poison (coniine) causing a myriad of symptoms, including muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. Both water and poison hemlock are dangerous, and their parsley-like appearance has unfortunately led to some tragic mix-ups.
With a name that conjures images of enchanted woodlands, FOXGLOVE is a plant with tall, trumpet-like flowers that can range in color. While it is used to create the heart medicine digoxin, the plant itself is highly toxic if ingested improperly. Overdose can cause an array of problems such as cardiac disturbances, and even death.
As seductive as its name, BELLADONNA, also known as deadly nightshade, is steeped in history and folklore for its use as a poison and, paradoxically, as a cosmetic to dilate women's pupils. Belladonna contains atropine and scopolamine, toxins that disrupt the nervous system, potentially causing delirium, hallucinations, and if enough is consumed, death.
Finally, the word OLEANDER is another plant that hides a fatal secret within its beauty. All parts of this common ornamental shrub are poisonous due to the presence of cardiac glycosides that have a potent impact on the heart. Ingestion of oleander can be fatal to humans and animals alike, causing symptoms like nausea, heart block, and even death.
Each of these plants, while potentially deadly, continues to be grown and admired for their beauty. Their poisonous nature serves as an important reminder of the delicate balance between aesthetics and safety in the natural world, and perfectly encapsulates the warning behind today's NYT Strands theme: "Please don't eat me!"
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