48 POISONOUS PLANTS 



it has long been grown as, a garden plant. The 

 whole plant is harmful, but the seeds are the most 

 dangerous. Linnaeus states that a tincture made 

 from the flowers, when given internally to children, 

 has proved fatal. 



Larkspur {Delphinuim, sp.). — This is not 

 common wild, though it occurs as a cornfield weed 

 about Cambridge, in Sussex, etc. Several species 

 are cultivated as garden plants. 



Two species are recognized as more or less wild, 

 one called -D. Consolida^ as under the name ^' Conso- 

 lida^' \t was used as a drug for healing or con- 

 solidating wounds. The other is called D, Ajacis, 

 because it has marks on the petals resembling 

 the letters AI AI. This is the one usually cultivated 

 as an annual in our gardens. 



Like the Aconite the Larkspur has a coloured 

 calyx, one sepal being prolonged into the spur 

 behind, suggesting the English name. Within this 

 sepal are two petals also spurred, and secreting 

 honey, which is stored in the spur of the sepal. 



The seeds of the Larkspurs are especially danger- 

 ous ; so that it should be carefully separated from 

 wheat before grinding. They cause vomiting and 

 purging if eaten. Children should be warned 

 against putting any part of these plants into their 

 mouths.^ 



^ Dr. Tanner recommends for poisoning by Stavesacre 

 {^Delphinium staphisagrid)^ a medicinal species of Larkspur, 



