The Project Gutenberg eBook of Common poisonous plants of New England

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Title: Common poisonous plants of New England

Author: Jr. Heber W. Youngken

Joseph S. Karas

Photographer: Dean Youngken

Release date: August 13, 2023 [eBook #71397]

Language: English

Original publication: Washington DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1964

Credits: Lisa Corcoran, Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS OF NEW ENGLAND ***

COMMON

POISONOUS PLANTS

OF NEW ENGLAND

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION,

AND WELFARE

Public Health Service

This material was prepared by Heber W. Youngken, Jr., Ph. D., Dean of the College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston; and Joseph S. Karas, M.D., Director of the Poison Control Center at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, and is published by the Rhode Island Health Department in cooperation with the U.S. Public Health Service, Division of Accident Prevention. The photographs were provided by Dean Youngken.

RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Division of Health Education and Information

and

THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

In Cooperation With

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,

EDUCATION, AND WELFARE

Public Health Service

Division of Accident Prevention

Washington, D.C. 20201

Public Health Service

Publication No. 1220

April 1964

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents,

U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, D.C., 20402

Price 35 cents

COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS

OF NEW ENGLAND

Page

Introduction

ii

Amanita mushroom

1

Baneberry

2

Bittersweet

3

Bloodroot

4

Castor bean

5

Christmas rose

6

Daphne

7

Deadly nightshade

8

Foxglove

9

Green hellebore

10

Indian hemp

11

Jimson weed

12

Larkspur

13

Lily-of-the-valley

14

Monkshood

15

Poison-hemlock

16

Poison-ivy

17

Pokeweed

18

Water hemlock

19

Yew

20

Poison Control Centers

21

Plant Index

23

INTRODUCTION

Prompted by the many telephone calls and inquiries received at the Rhode Island Poison Control and Information Centers regarding plants, flowers, and berries, the State Department of Health has developed the information contained in this booklet. It will aid families in planning safe gardens, give fuller knowledge of wild plants, and, in the case of an accidental ingestion, provide assistance in identifying the plant. Since verbal descriptions are frequently inadequate, and nonprofessional determination of species often uncertain, there has been a need for a more expedient means of identifying plants and their toxicity.

Because the toxicity of these plants will vary with the size of the child, the season, and the quantity and part of the plant eaten, it is necessary that a physician determine the necessary treatment for each case.

THIS BOOKLET ENCOURAGES THE EMPTYING OF THE STOMACH OF A VICTIM BY VOMITING AS A GENERAL MEASURE IN PREVENTING SERIOUS INJURY.

VOMITING SHOULD NOT BE INDUCED IF THE VICTIM IS UNCONSCIOUS OR CONVULSING.

Some basic information is included for physicians who might be unaware of the toxic principles and their effects in these particular plants. Although the seriousness of each accident must be judged individually, it is necessary that the plant be accurately identified and that sufficient information on its toxicity be readily available. Many other poisonous plants could have been included in this booklet, but, the purpose was to discuss those found most commonly, although not exclusively, in the New England States.

The names and telephone numbers of the Poison Control Centers in the New England area are included for the convenience of your physician. (See page 21.)

Cover picture: European bittersweet

Solanum dulcamara

(see page 3)

AMANITA MUSHROOM

Amanita, fly agaric

Amanita muscaria—AGARICACEAE

Description: One of the most poisonous of the mushrooms (toadstools). Found mostly in woody areas, along roadsides, and waste places, especially at the base of pine and similar trees. Unlike many edible mushrooms, this poisonous amanita has a fleshy bulb-like base and yellow stalk (stipe) with scaly growths and a cap or top (pileus). Often a white ring (annulus) of soft ragged tissue may be observed on the stalk under its cap. All amanita mushrooms should, in general, be considered poisonous. The top, which may be 3 to 6 inches wide, varies in color from bright orange to red with white to gray warty growths on it. Under the cap are numerous very white gills which distinguish this mushroom from most edible types. The latter usually have pink to purple gills. These mushrooms form in groups, or are scattered.

Other poisonous mushrooms found in New England are the Death Cup, Amanita phalloides; jack-o’-lantern, Clitocybe illudens; Shaggy mane, Coprinus comatus; and the Boletus and Russula species. There are many others. Perhaps the best precaution is to avoid eating any mushroom not certified by an expert to be edible.

Poisonous Parts: All portions are poisonous. The chief toxic principle is an alkaloid, muscarine. Amanita poisoning is characterized by intense sweating, salivation, wheezing, irregular breathing and heart beat. If not treated promptly, it can be fatal within an hour depending upon quantities consumed.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for muscarine alkaloid poisoning or excessive muscarinic stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, also dehydration. Atropine and other similar drugs counteract the effects of muscarine.

BANEBERRY

Baneberry, snakeberry

Actaea rubra and Actaea alba—RANUNCULACEAE

Description: The red and white baneberries are perennial herbs found in woodlands and occasionally as showy plants in gardens. Leaves are large on many branches and resemble those of the wildcurrant. The small flowers are white in spring. Plants generally grow about 1 to 2 feet in height. The attractive parts are the red or white berries which develop during summer and early autumn. They are in clusters on terminal flower stalks, each on a conspicuous short fleshy pedicel. Children have been poisoned by eating the berries.

Poisonous Parts: The root stock, sap, and berries. These produce marked irritation of the stomach and intestines causing nausea and violent purgation. If absorbed, the acrid principles can affect the heart, increase the pulse rate, and cause dizziness. Fatalities have been reported.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat gastric inflammation and circulatory failure.

BITTERSWEET

European bittersweet, blue nightshade, woody nightshade

Solanum dulcamara—SOLANACEAE

Description: A woody climbing or reclining herb with slender stems and dark green pointed leaves which may be purplish-green when young. Clusters of white or purplish-white flowers borne on a 5-pointed, wheel-shaped base (calyx). During summer and early fall, fruits become attractive berries, bright red to scarlet, and are scattered in clusters. They remain when leaves fall.

This weed is found in numerous areas, such as on dumps, along fence walls, and generally in moist, rich soil conditions. It is a common weed in many gardens, near dwellings or in fields, and is related to the black and deadly nightshades.

NOTE. The black nightshade, American bittersweet or poison berry (Solarium nigrum-SOLANACEAE) closely resembles the European bittersweet, excepting the berries which are purple or black. It contains the same poisonous principles.

Poisonous Parts: Chiefly the leaves and unripe fruits. The red berries (black berries of the black nightshade) can be poisonous if several are eaten. The plant contains solanine, dulcamarin, and similar principles which are related to the alkaloids of the deadly nightshade. Poisoning is characterized by burning in the throat, nausea, dizziness, dilation of eye pupils, convulsions, and general muscular weakness.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians treat for alkaloids, as in atropine poisoning.

BLOODROOT

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis—PAPAVERACEAE

Description: Perennial, low-growing herbs which appear early in spring in shady, moist wooded areas. The many-petaled, white flower frequently develops first on a stalk wrapped with a single large-lobed leaf. The large underground stem (rhizome) and smaller roots of the bloodroot contain an orange to red juice from which the plant gets its name. This is poisonous.

Poisonous Parts: The underground stems, roots, and their red contents. These contain several toxic alkaloids, chiefly sanguinarine, which irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and stomach causing intense burning, nausea, and vomiting. If absorbed, the alkaloids can affect the nervous system, depress the heart, cause coma, and produce temporary paralysis.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit, and then give warm milk. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat irritated gastro-intestinal tract. In the event that much of the root material has been ingested and absorbed, measures should be taken to prevent circulatory collapse.

CASTOR BEAN

Castor bean, castor oil plant, palma Christi

Ricinus communis—EUPHORBIACEAE

Description: There are many varieties of the castor bean plant growing in gardens and greenhouses. The plant is cultivated commercially in southern climates for the castor oil produced by the seeds. It grows to 8 feet or more in height with large showy palm like, dark green leaves on long stalks.

Flowers are not very attractive but the clusters of soft spiny fruits which form in late summer and early fall, split open to yield very attractively marked shiny seeds. These possess variegated white to brown and black striations and are shaped somewhat like the tick insect. Because of the attractive appearance, they become playthings for children.

Poisonous Parts: The beans or seeds contain the toxic substances ricin and ricinine. Ricin is exceedingly poisonous due to its irritant action which causes nausea, vomiting, intestinal cramps, stupor, and sometimes convulsions and circulatory collapse several hours after seeds are ingested. Ricin may produce hemolysis.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance and employ symptomatic measures.

CHRISTMAS ROSE

Christmas rose, black hellebore

Helleborus niger—RANUNCULACEAE

Description: In warmer climates, the large blossoms of this plant appear in midwinter, hence, the common name Christmas rose. However, these develop much earlier in fall or later in spring in New England and other northern areas.

The plant is a perennial evergreen herb with a black underground stem and roots. Each year a single palmately divided leaf and flower stalk form, the latter with one or two large purplish-white flowers, each with five petals and a yellow center whorl of flower parts. Found in gardens usually as a cultivated plant.

Poisonous Parts: An intensely irritating glycoside principle, helleborein, has been found in the leaves and roots. This probably accounts for much of the skin inflammation caused on contact with bruised parts or the juice of this plant. Other poisonous glycosides and alkaloids which affect the heart (similar to the effects of digitalis) and nervous system (as from aconite) are also present. If ingested, the plant may cause vomiting, tingling and numbing sensations in the mouth, and violent purgation.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Wash the skin at once with soap and water if the juice of the plant is in contact with it. Have patient vomit if any part has been eaten. Physicians treat for dermatitis and vesication if a contact poisoning. When there is evidence of much ingestion treat for digitalis or aconitine poisoning, depending upon symptoms.

DAPHNE

Daphne, spurge olive

Daphne mezereum—THYMELAEACEAE

Description: A low, woody plant found in many gardens. The daphne bears small rose-purple blossoms in clusters along its branches in early spring before the leaves develop. During the summer, several bright red berries appear, each with a single seed. Some horticultural varieties produce white to yellow flowers and yellow to orange berries.

Poisonous Parts: The bark, (this separates easily from the stems) leaves, and berries are poisonous. Children are especially attracted to the berries and fatalities among some who have eaten them have been reported.

Poisoning is characterized by a burning sensation in the mouth and irritation of the stomach and intestines which causes severe cramps. Toxic principles include a bitter glycoside, daphnin, and an acid resinous mixture. If not removed reasonably soon, these can produce kidney inflammation since these principles can be absorbed.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for a probable irritation of the gastro-intestinal tract if parts of the plant have been in the stomach for more than an hour.

DEADLY NIGHTSHADE

Deadly nightshade, black cherry

Atropa belladonna—SOLANACEAE

Description: A perennial bushy herb, 3 to 4 feet in height, branching stems with dark green pointed leaves, lavender-to-purple, bell-shaped flowers, and black cherry-like fruits. (Not related to cherry trees.)

Plants rarely grown in gardens, usually weeds found in scattered areas. Children are especially attracted to the fruits.

Poisonous Parts: Roots, leaves, and seeds which contain alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, etc.) similar to those of the jimsonweed (see page 12). Poisoning causes drying of the mouth, dilation of eye pupils, a very rapid heartbeat, and central-nervous-system depression. Poison can be absorbed by handling leaves, as well as by eating fruits. Severely poisonous!

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit immediately if eaten. Exposed skin should be washed with soapy water. Physicians treat for atropine poisoning.

NOTE: Other nightshades causing poisoning include the blue and black nightshades which are also known as bittersweets (Solanum dulcamara, and Solanum nigrum respectively). (See page 3.)

FOXGLOVE

Foxglove, digitalis

Digitalis purpurea—SCROPHULARIACEAE

Description: The foxglove is found wild in woodlands, along shady roadsides, and often is cultivated in gardens. During its first year of growth it forms clusters of leaves in a rosette pattern, but no flowers. The flowers develop on long erect stems early in summer during the second year. They are numerous showy white-lavender, or purple bell-shaped flowers which bloom for several weeks. The fruits are dry capsules with many tiny seeds.

Poisonous Parts: The leaves and seeds. These contain the digitalis glycosides, chiefly digitoxin, which is a powerful heart stimulant. Poisoning is characterized by nausea, vomiting, and dizziness and can be experienced several hours after ingesting the plant parts. The plant is severely poisonous and can cause heart failure because of its powerful action on the heart muscles.

Antidotes: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for digitoxin and digitalis glycoside poisoning.

GREEN HELLEBORE

Green hellebore, false hellebore, Indian poke

Veratrum viride—LILIACEAE

Description: This hellebore is found in swampy places, moist meadows, or along the edges of streams. It develops in early spring quite like the skunk cabbage, but then grows during summer on a stout stalk up to 6 to 8 feet in height. Its clasping broad leaves with parallel vein markings are conspicuous. Many small greenish-white flowers form on a branching top.

The size of the plant attracts people, and children find the broad leaves and green tops a curiosity. Powdered roots and a mixture of the alkaloids are found among the contents of some insecticides.

Poisonous Parts: Poisonous principles are alkaloids which are in largest amounts in the roots. Leaves and seeds contain smaller quantities and can be harmful. Poisoning is characterized by salivation, abdominal pain, and attempts to vomit. Large quantities produce a cold and clammy skin and depressed circulation due to effects of veratrum alkaloids on the heart muscles and on respiration. Death may result.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit if the victim has not become unconscious and appears calm. If shock has developed, use standard first aid measures. Physicians treat for veratrum alkaloid poisoning.

INDIAN HEMP

Indian hemp, cannabis, marihuana, marijuana

Cannabis sativa—MORACEAE

Description: This tall annual weed is usually eradicated by local authorities as soon as it is found because of its narcotic properties. Occasionally, however, it turns up on dumps, along railroad tracks, or other places. Fruits or “seeds” of the Cannabis for commercial purposes, have been pre-treated to render them non-viable and of use in bird seed mixtures. At times, some are not rendered sufficiently sterile and these, in the home refuse, get to dump areas where they germinate. Plants can reach more than 6 feet in height.

Leaves are slender and divided into five to seven long, narrow, pointed leaflets each with a saw-tooth margin. They are rough to the touch, giving one the feeling of sand paper. Smaller flower bracts are quite resinous and sticky. Flowers and fruits are rather inconspicuous and scattered along upper portions of the stem. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants.

Poisonous Parts: The leaves, flowering parts, and resinous secretions contain the Cannabis (cannabinol) narcotic principles. Publicity over the illegal use of marihuana in its various forms, i.e., cigarettes, extracts, pills, etc., make it a curiosity among some people. It causes cerebral stimulation and excessive amounts produce hallucinations, delirium, and eventually mental depression. It is a plant which can cause drug addiction.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians treat for cerebral depression and other aspects of marihuana poisoning.

JIMSON WEED

Jimson weed, thornapple. Jamestown weed

Datura stramonium and Datura tatula—SOLANACEAE

Description: An annual herb, 3 to 4 feet in height, branching stems with trumpet-shaped white flowers or thorny fruits formed in forks of the branches. Leaves pointed and with irregular margins. Datura tatula has purple stems. Both have spiny or prickly fruits which turn brown when ripe and spill out several small brownish-black, kidney-shaped seeds. These are also poisonous.

Poisonous Parts: Roots, leaves, and seeds which contain alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, etc.) similar to those of the deadly nightshade. (See page 8.) Poisoning causes drying of the mouth, dilation of eye pupils, a very rapid heartbeat, and central-nervous-system depression. Poisoning can be experienced merely by handling the leaves. Children sometimes ingest the poisonous seeds or rub the eyes after touching the leaves and are then poisoned.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Hands should be washed with soap and water if in contact with the plant. Physicians treat for atropine poisoning.

NOTE: There are other species and varieties of Datura which contain similar poisonous principles although in lesser amounts. These are sometimes grown in gardens and greenhouses as ornamentals and are frequently called angel’s trumpet. They include Datura innoxia, Datura metel, D. metaloides, D. arborea, D. sanguinia, etc. Most have large trumpet-like, white or pinkish-white flowers and some reach small tree height. Observe same precautions as for jimson weed.

LARKSPUR

Larkspur, delphinium, lark’s claw, knight’s spur

Delphinium ajacis—RANUNCULACEAE

Description: The cultivated larkspurs found in New England are annuals or perennials found in many gardens and produce showy blossoms with many colors (usually white and violet-purple) growing on erect flower stalks. Leaves are divided into parts and have the general outline of a bird’s foot. The small seeds which form in dry follicles are usually pointed and very irregular in shape. The plant varies in height from 2 to 4 feet.

Poisonous Parts: Leaves and seeds contain toxic alkaloids which when ingested may affect the nervous system. Tingling sensations of the mouth may at first be experienced followed by excitation and severe depression. Animals poisoned by wild larkspurs growing on western ranges stagger and appear to develop symptoms of tetany. Powdered larkspur seed is also found in some commercial lice remedies.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for alkaloid (ajacine) poisoning and central nervous system excitation using short-acting barbiturates because of subsequent depression.

LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

Lily-of-the-valley

Convallaria majalis—LILIACEAE

Description: A perennial, low-growing herb found in many gardens. Its attractive small, white, nodding, bell-shaped flowers are fragrant and used in bouquets. They blossom in spring and summer. Several of these are found on one side of a slender flowering stalk. Leaves have parallel vein markings. The fruits appear in late summer and early fall and are attractive red to orange-red fleshy berries.

Poisonous Parts: Roots, leaves, and fruits contain harmful principles, particularly the glycoside convallatoxin which stimulates the heart muscles similarly to the poisonous principles of the foxglove, digitalis. Dizziness and vomiting may occur in 1 to 2 hours if large quantities are eaten.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians should look for symptoms of digitalis poisoning.

MONKSHOOD

Monkshood, aconite, friar’s cap, Wolfsbane

Aconitum napellus—RANUNCULACEAE

Description: There are numerous garden varieties of the monkshood and it is widely cultivated. It is a perennial herb reaching a height of about 3 to 4 feet with many divided leaves (like a crow’s foot). Several violet-blue flowers form on a flowering stalk somewhat like the delphinium or larkspur, but they are more frequently branched. Each flower resembles the cap or hood of a medieval monk, hence its common name. The seeds are tiny and form in dry capsules called follicles.

Poisonous Parts: Roots and seeds are most poisonous although the leaves may be harmful if eaten. The plant contains several poisonous alkaloids, chiefly aconitine, which affects the vital vagus nerve from the brain causing a slowing of the heart. Other effects of poisoning include tingling and numbing sensations of the lips and tongue, irregular pulse, dimness of vision, and respiratory failure.

Antidote: Call your doctor. The victim should be kept warm, because of the possibility of circulatory collapse, and placed in a horizontal position with the feet level with the head. Physicians treat for aconitine alkaloid poisoning. Gastric lavage is preferred to the use of vomiting agents. Circulatory stimulants may be necessary.

POISON HEMLOCK

Poison-hemlock, poison-parsley

Conium maculatum—UMBELLIFERAE

Description: A biennial weed with leaves resembling those of parsley, dark green, finely divided, with shiny under surfaces. The plant is found in gardens, fields, and along roadsides, and reaches up to 5 feet, or more, in height. Roots resemble those of the parsnip. When crushed, both fresh leaves and roots yield a juice with a characteristic odor of the parsnip. Occasional purplish spots are found on the hollow stems.

The very small white flowers and grayish-green fruits are borne on umbrella-like stalks. The tiny fruits upon close examination have flattened inner surfaces. They also look somewhat like fruits of the anise, Pimpinella anisum.

Poisonous Parts: The leaves and fruits during flowering contain an intensely poisonous principle, coniine, and other related alkaloids. Older roots are also poisonous. Hemlock poisoning first causes a burning sensation in the mouth and throat followed by muscular weakness, stupor, and paralysis of the arms and chest. Poisonous principles act on the spinal cord and brain causing respiratory failure and death.

The poisonous hemlock juice was employed by ancient Greeks as a means of capital punishment. Socrates and other celebrities are said to have met death by this means. Accidental poisoning has occurred in modern time by mistaking the conium for parsley, parsnip, or anise plants.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage as soon as possible. Treat for alkaloid poisoning and maintain respiration.

POISON-IVY

Poison-ivy, poison-oak

Rhus Toxicodendron—ANACARDIACEAE

Description: Probably no other plant has caused as much suffering and distress as has the poison-ivy. Poison-ivy, with its characteristic three-leaf appearance and prominent veins is a woody vine, climbing by aerial rootlets, or taking a tree-like appearance. Poison-oak is more of a low, branching shrub. Each leaflet is shaped somewhat like an oak leaf. Both are found abundantly in woodlands, along fences, walks, and roadsides. During the fall their showy red and yellow leaves are frequently mistaken for those of the harmless trees of the woods.

The flowers are yellowish green to white in color and formed in clusters attached to the stems, or in the stem forks. Fruits are smooth globular structures, sometimes remaining on the branches until spring.

Poisonous Parts: All parts of the plant are poisonous, even the tiny plant hairs and the smoke from burning the leaves in the fall. This plant produces a severe dermatitis upon contact causing inflammation, blistering, and vesicles. As the skin breaks, a liquid exudes and scabs or crusts form.

The poisonous principle is a reddish-brown, oil-resin containing urushiol. This can produce irritant effects within 24 hours upon contact with the skin.

Antidotes: Numerous remedies are available in pharmacies for poison-ivy. After contact, or suspected contact, hands, face, and affected parts should be first washed freely with soapy water using laundry soap of the alkali kind; lather abundantly. Soaps containing oil or greasy components should not be used. The poison is soluble in them and will spread over the skin. In severe or persistent cases of dermatitis, consult your physician.

Physicians treat itching, severe inflammation, and pain when dermatitis becomes evident.

POKEWEED

Pokeweed, pigeonberry, American nightshade, ink berries, scoke

Phytolacca americana, P. decundra--PHYTOLACCAEAE

Description: A perennial weed, growing up to about 4 feet, with a large fleshy root system. Stems are rather thick and leaves have a light green appearance with prominent ribs (veins) and somewhat curled edges.

Flowers are greenish-white and borne on a spike in the upper part of the plant. As the many berries form in clusters in late summer and early autumn, they are at first green then reddish-purple, later purple to black, and contain a red juice which has also given the plant the name red-ink plant. Birds frequently feed on them. The plant is found in many areas.

Poisonous Parts: All parts are poisonous, particularly roots, shoots, and unripe berries. As the berries ripen, their poisonous properties lessen but, nevertheless, if many are eaten, they too can be harmful. Toxic materials include a resinous material and a water-soluble saponin. No alkaloid has as yet been found in pokeweed.

Poisoning generally is slow (1 to 2 hours) after ingesting the plant but then becomes violent for a long time. Following a period of nausea and vomiting, drowsiness and impaired vision results. Large amounts can cause purgation and narcosis followed by coma and death.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for circulatory and respiratory depression.

WATER HEMLOCK

Water hemlock, cowbane, beaver poison

Cicuta maculata—UMBELLIFERAE

Description: A perennial herb reaching to 5 feet, or more, in height and found in swampy or moist areas. At least eight species of Cicuta are known to be poisonous.

As in the Conium hemlock, the roots of Circuta resemble those of the parsnip but in addition, frequently possess many tuberous rootlets which resemble small sweet potatoes. When cut open, these yield a yellowish aromatic oil. Stems are shiny, hollow, and often have purple spots. Leaf bases clasp around the stem and the leaves are coarsely divided into smaller leaflets.

Flowers are white and the small fruits are formed on umbrella-like stalks. Each fruit possesses several prominent corky ribs.

Poisonous Parts: Mostly the roots. However, above ground parts are also very poisonous and should be avoided. The similarity of roots to parsnip and sweet potato has led to accidental poisoning in children and adults. The poison principle is a resin-like substance called cicutoxin and a small quantity of this can cause death.

Poisoning is characterized by severe stomach pain, great mental excitation and frenzy, vomiting, and frothing at the mouth. The frothing can be at times bloody. Breathing becomes irregular followed by convulsions and death in a short time.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform stomach lavage before the contents of the plant are absorbed, treat for pierotoxin poisoning since cicutoxin is related to it. This includes a judicious use of barbiturates and morphine.

YEW

Yew, groundhemlock

Taxus canadensis, Taxus baccata—TAXACEAE

Description: The yew, also known as English, Irish, and American yew, is an evergreen tree or shrub often used as a hedge and found growing in many gardens or as a decorative plant around homes. Its fruits are bright red fleshy “berries” borne on the twigs and they frequently attract children. A large hole sometimes appearing in their ends gives an appearance of a deep red cup.

Poisonous Parts: All parts of the yew are poisonous. Fortunately the red fruits are the least harmful, although if large quantities are consumed these too can cause harm. Poisoning may result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, circulatory failure, and difficulty in breathing. The poisonous principle includes taxine, an alkaloid which depresses the heart function.

Antidote: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for circulatory failure and alkaloid poisoning.

POISON CONTROL CENTERS

IN NEW ENGLAND

City

Address

Telephone

CONNECTICUT

Bridgeport

Bridgeport Hospital,

EDison 4-0131.

267 Grant Street.

St. Vincent’s Hospital,

FOrest 6-3601.

2820 Main Street.

Danbury

Danbury Hospital,

744-2300.

95 Locust Avenue.

Hartford

St. Francis Hospital,

249-8281.

114 Woodland Street.

State Department of Health,[1]

527-6341, ext. 456.

State Office Building.

Middletown

Middlesex Memorial Hospital,

DIamond 7-2531.

28 Crescent Street.

New Britain

New Britain General Hospital,

BAldwin 3-2761.

92 Grand Street.

New Haven

Hospital of St. Raphael,

SPruce 7-6581.

1450 Chapel Street.

Norwalk

Norwalk Hospital,

838-3611, ext. 294.

24 Stevens Street.

Stamford

Stamford Hospital,

327-1234.

190 West Broad Street.

Waterbury

St. Mary’s Hospital,

756-8351.

56 Franklin Street.

MAINE

Togus

Veterans Administration Center[2]

MAyfair 3-8411.

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston

Children’s Medical Center,[3]

BEacon 2-2120.

300 Longwood Avenue.

Fall River

Union Hospital, 300 Hanover Street.

OSborne 9-6405 or

OSborne 4-5789.

New Bedford

St. Luke’s Hospital,

WYman 6-6711, ext. 275.

101 Page Street.

Springfield

Mercy Hospital,

STate 8-7321.

233 Carew Street.

Springfield Hospital,

STate 8-4581.

759 Chestnut Street.

Wesson Memorial Hospital,

STate 5-1241.

140 High Street.

Worcester

Worcester City Hospital,

SWift 9-7094

71 Jacques Street.

(Center);

PLeasant 6-1551

(Hospital).

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Hanover

Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital,[4]

643-4000.

2 Maynard Street.

RHODE ISLAND

Kingston

College of Pharmacy,[5]

Day phone:

University of Rhode Island

Through Narragansett

789-9311 X 763, 775.

Night phone:

789-6237

783-7152.

Pawtucket

Memorial Hospital,

PAwtucket 2-6000.

Prospect Street.

Providence

Rhode Island Hospital,

DExter 1-4174.

593 Eddy Street.

PLANT INDEX

- Page

- Aconitum napellus, 15

- Actaea rubra, A. alba, 2

- Amanita muscaria, 1

- Amanita phalloides, 1

- Angel’s trumpet, 12

- Atropa belladonna, 8

- Baneberry, 2

- Beaver poison, 19

- Bittersweet, 3

- Black cherry, 8

- Bloodroot, 4

- Boletus, 1

- Cannabis sativa, 11

- Castor bean, 5

- Castor-oil-plant, 5

- Christmas rose, 6

- Cicuta maculata, 19

- Clitocybe illudens, 1

- Conium maculatum, 16

- Convallaria majalis, 14

- Coprinus comatus, 1

- Cowbane, 19

- Daphne mezereum, 7

- Datura stramonium, D. tatula, 12

- Death cup, mushroom, 1

- Delphinium ajacis, 13

- Digitalis purpurea, 9

- Fly agaric, 1

- Foxglove, 9

- Friar’s cap, 15

- Hellebore, black, 6

- Hellebore, false or green, 10

- Helleborus niger, 6

- Hemlock, ground, 20

- Hemlock, poison, 16

- Hemlock, water, 19

- Indian hemp, 11

- Indian poke, 10

- Ink berries, 18

- Jack-o’-lantern, mushroom, 1

- Jamestown weed, 12

- Jimson weed, 12

- Knight’s spur, 13

- Lark’s claw, 13

- Larkspur, 13

- Lily-of-the-valley, 14

- Marihuana, Marijuana, 11

- Monkshood, 15

- Mushroom, 1

- Nightshade, American, 18

- Nightshade, black, blue, woody, 3

- Nightshade, deadly, 8

- Palma christi, 5

- Phytolacca americana, P. decandra, 18

- Pigeonberry, 18

- Poisonberry, 3

- Poison-ivy or oak, 17

- Poison-parsley, 16

- Pokeweed, 18

- Red-ink plant, 18

- Rhus toxicodendron, 17

- Ricinus communis, 5

- Russula, 1

- Sanguinaria canadensis, 4

- Scoke, 18

- Shaggy mane, mushroom, 1

- Snakeberry, 2

- Solanum dulcamara, S. nigrum, 3

- Spurge olive, 7

- Taxus baccata, T. canadensis, 20

- Thornapple, 12

- Veratrum viride, 10

- Water hemlock, 19

- Wolfsbane, 15

- Yew, 20

Footnotes:

[1] Informational services only.

[2] Informational services only.

[3] Informational services only.

[4] Informational services only.

[5] Informational services only.

Transcriber’s Notes:

Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.

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Table of Contents

COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS OF NEW ENGLAND

INTRODUCTION

AMANITA MUSHROOM

BANEBERRY

BITTERSWEET

BLOODROOT

CASTOR BEAN

CHRISTMAS ROSE

DAPHNE

DEADLY NIGHTSHADE

FOXGLOVE

GREEN HELLEBORE

INDIAN HEMP

JIMSON WEED

LARKSPUR

LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

MONKSHOOD

POISON HEMLOCK

POISON-IVY

POKEWEED

WATER HEMLOCK

YEW

POISON CONTROL CENTERS IN NEW ENGLAND

PLANT INDEX

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE