IMPORTANT POISONOUS PLANTS 117 



Common in the Rocky Mountains. Cases of poisoning from this species 

 have frequently been reported. 



Prunus serotina Ehrh. Wild Black Cherry. 



Most poisonous species in the north. The half wilted leaves are much 

 more poisonous than the fresh leaves, and the seeds are very poisonous, all pro- 

 ducing hydrocyanic acid. 



Prunus caroliniana (Mill) Ait. Laurel Cherry. 



Laurel cherry is distributed in Southeastern United States. It is fre- 

 quently cultivated for hedges. The leaves contain prussic acid. 



Cercocarpus parvifolius Nutt. Mountain Mahogany. 



It is poisonous and the same may probably also be true of C. ledifolius, 

 both being common in the Rocky Mountains; the former contains hydrocyanic 

 acid. 



Amygdalus persica L. Peach. 



The leaves and seeds are poisonous. They contain amygdalin, from which 

 hydrocyanic acid is derived. 



Leguminosae. Pulse Family. 



Cassia chamaecrista L. Partridge Pea. 



Widely distributed in the north especially on sandy, gravelly soils. A case 

 was reported where a great many sheep had the scours ; the ailment being at- 

 tributed to this plant. Many species of the genus are known to be laxative. 



Cassia marylandica L Wild or American Senna. 



Found in the southeastern part of the state, and probably acts like the 

 preceding. This plant contains saponin. 



Gymnocladus dioica (L) Koch. Kentucky Coffee-tree. 



This is widely distributed in the Miss. Valley, especially along the river 

 courses in Eastern Iowa, although growing as far north as Sioux City in the 

 northwestern part of the state, and along the Mississippi into Minnesota. It 

 is abundant in Missouri and Illinois. The fruit contains a sweetish, but dis- 

 agreeable pulp which, as well as the leaves, is poisonous. In the South the 

 leaves are used as fly poison. 



Baptisia leucantha T. & G. Large White Wild Indigo. 



It is widely distributed in prairie regions but is generally avoided by 

 stock. Two eastern species are regarded as poisonous, being emetics. It is 

 probable that this species must be regarded as suspicious. 



Baptisia bracteata (Muhl) Ell. 



This plant contains the same active substances as the preceding species, 

 including baptitoxin. It is common in Eastern North America. The B. australis, 

 or the blue indigo of the Southern States, is also regarded as poisonous. 



Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt.) Richards. 



Common in the Rocky Mountains and in the plains region. The seeds 

 are said to be poisonous and the plant is very bitter. Several other Rocky 

 Mountain species and one Eastern species must be put in the suspected list. 

 These plants produce handsome yellow flowers. 



Sophora secundiflora (Cav.) DC. Coral Bean. 



Common in Central and Southern Texas. It contains a powerful poisonous 

 substance. Reports of its poisoning occur in Mexico and Texas. 



Sophora sericea Nutt. Silky Sophora. 



Common on the plains of Colorado also from the Dakotas to Mexico 

 Said to be poisonous. 



