XXXIV 
Desfontainiaceae 
Desfontainia R. & P. 
It is reported that the leaves of Desfontainia spinosa R. & P. 
are employed in southern Chile as a narcotic and medicinally 
(Schultes 1970c). The narcotic use of this plant has now been 
substantiated in Colombia (Schultes 1977a). Chemical investiga- 
tion of this anomalous plant have apparently not been carried 
out. The genus, with some five Andean species, cornprises a 
family which appears to be related to the Loganiacae and which 
is sometimes placed in the Potaliaceae. 
Ericaceae 
Pernettya Gaudich. 
Pernettya furiens (Hook. ex DC.) Klotsch., known in Chile as 
huedhued or hierba loca, is toxic. When consumed in quantity, 
the fruits induce mental confusion and madness or permanent 
insanity and exercise a narcotic effect similar to that of Datura 
(Schultes 1970c). This species has apparently not been chemi- 
cally investigated. Its activity may be due to grayanotoxin III 
(andromedotoxin) (XXXV), a poisonous principle widely dis- 
tributed in the family. Pernettya parvifolia Benth., called taglii 
in Ecuador, is noted as a toxic plant containing grayanotoxin III 
and the fruit of which, when ingested, causes hallucinations and 
other psychic and motor alterations (Chen and Chen 1939; 
Naranjo 1969). 
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