POISONOUS PLANTS 311 



opposite one another on the stem in pairs. Several 

 male flowers are associated with one female flower in 

 such a way that they may be mistaken for a single tiny 

 greenish flower. Flowering takes place in June and 

 July. The juice of this plant is very acrid, and the 

 seeds yield a violently purgative oil ; country folk 

 indeed have employed the seeds as a purge, and have 

 been victims of their imprudence. When the seed is 

 taken in overdose it will " inflame the mouth and 

 stomach, and cause intense diarrhoea and vomiting. 

 If the dose is sufficient, there will be nervous disorders, 

 unconsciousness, general collapse, and death." ] In the 

 United States cattle are said to be " quite resistant to 

 its influence, but they are sometimes overcome." It 

 appears only to be taken by young animals, and cases 

 of poisoning have been reported. The toxic principle 

 is Eiiphorbin and Oil of Euphorbia. 



Box (Buxus sempervirens L.) is a well-known ever- 

 green shrub or small tree found on the chalk hills of 

 Kent and Surrey, and much employed in garden 

 decoration. It flowers in April and May, and may 

 grow from 3 to 15 feet high. All parts are bitter, and 

 poisonous both to animals and man. Farm stock may 

 occasionally browse upon it, but only rarely, and all 

 clippings should be disposed of in such a way that they 

 cannot be reached by stock. The disagreeable odour 

 and bitter taste will usually tend to the safety of 

 animals. The alkaloids Buxin and Oil of Euphorbia form 

 the toxic principles in it. 



The Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis L.) is a 

 foreign plant, sometimes cultivated in Britain as an 

 ornamental plant. The seeds are poisonous, and injure 

 fowls, pigs and sheep, and man. Eighty sheep are 

 stated by Cornevin to have been killed through eating 



1 U.S. Farmers Bull., No. 86. 



