726 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



gastro-enteritis. Death has even occurred where too much of tlie Cayenne 

 pepper has l^een used. Thresh isohitcd a principle to which he gave the name 

 of capsaicin CgH^^NO,, however, the hitter pungent substance has been called 

 by Morbitz, capsacutin, a crystalline nitrogenous compound containing the sub- 

 stance C.^.H.jN,Oj. This is so powerful that 1 part in 11,000,000 will impart 

 the pungent taste. :\ volatile alkaloid resembling couiin has been found in 

 small quantities. 



3. Xicandra Adans. Apple of Peru 

 Tall smooth annual with alternate leaves, calyx 5-parted, angled ; corolla 

 wheel shaped or somewhat funnel shaped with widely spreading border; tube 

 short ; anthers 5 connivent ; fruit a somewhat 3-5 celled berry. 



Nicandra Physalodes (L. ) Pers. Apple of Peru 



A tall smooth annual, 2-5 feet high ; leaves ovate angled or sinuate toothed ; 

 flowers solitary; corolla pale blue rather large; fruit a globular dry berry; 

 calyx, 5-parted, 5-angled, enlarged and bladder like in fruit. 



Distribution. Native to Peru but sparingly naturalized in tlie United States. 



Poisonous properties. Said to be poisonous; used as a fly poison in parts 

 of the United States. 



4. Hyoscyanius (Tourn.) L. Henbane 



Clammy-pubescent, fetid, narcotic herbs ; leaves alternate, mostly lobcd or 

 pinnatifid; flow'ers large, calyx bell-shaped or urn-shaped, 5-lobed; corolla 

 funnelform, oblique: 5-cleft, the lobes unequal; capsule enclosed in the persistent 

 calyx, 2-celIed. 



About 15 species, native to the Mediterranean region. ^ledicinal and 

 poisonous plants. 



Hyoscyanius iiigcr L. F>lack Henbane 



Biennial or annual. Stem 1-3 feet high; leaves ovate, sinuate toothed and 

 angled, the upper clasping; flowers short pedicelled in one sided leafy spikes; 

 ■corolla dull yellowish, reticulated, with purple veins : capsule globose oblong. 



Distribution. Common only eastward in waste places from Nova Scotia to 

 Michigan, also in Montana, Utah, Idaho and the Pacific Coast. 



Poisonous properties. A well known medicinal plant from which liyoscyaniin 

 is obtained. Hyoscya}niii is an anodyne and hypnotic and is poi'ionnus. Dr. 

 Chesnut says : 



One or two cases are recorded in foreign literature in which stock liave been poisoned 

 by eating the plant of their own accord, but there is very little danger from it, on account 

 nf its ill odor and harsh texture. 



It contains Itynscyaiiiin. C II„.jNO.,, cansini; .i dilation of the pupils 

 and having a shar]) and disagreeable taste. It also contains psntdo-liyoscyaniin 

 C,.H.,.jNO,., another alkaloid, and Itynscin C^.U.^.,KO^; the latter of which 

 also dilates the pupils. The liyoscyainin resembles atropin in its composition 

 and action and is obtained from the ffyoscyaniiis seed. When damp the alkaloid 

 has a tobacco-like odor and a Ititter taste. Aciording to Dr. Winslow, the 

 hyocsyaviin is jiractically atropin excejit that its mydriatic a'tion is shorter. 

 riyoscin is a powerful depressant to the cerebrum, respiralorv center, spin; I 

 reflex centers, and motor tract. It is a cerebral sedatixe. .\ceordipg to Wins- 

 low : 



The tetanic stage succeeding s|)inal paralysis, observed in atropin C H NO poison- 

 ing, does not ensue with hyoscin. The latter alkaloid slightly depresses and slows the 



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