vii] Plants suspected of being Poisonous 97 



"anxious look, dyspnoea, salivation, sweating, dilatation of the pupils, 

 cyanosis, signs of pulmonary oedema." Two horses died. In 1913 

 similar cases were observed by other owners, and terminated fatally. 



Hooker states that N. Glechoma is "bitter and aromatic, formerly 

 used for beer, occasionally for tea." 



Orache {Atriplex sp.). So far as known these plants are not poison- 

 ous, but it may be stated that Greshoff found the seeds of five species, 

 and the leaves of two species, to contain a Saponin. 



Nettles (Urtica sp.). Nettles are not generally regarded as poisonous 

 otherwise than as causing painful nettle rash on the bare skin, but 

 Urtica dioica L, is stated to have caused the death of dogs (Berliner 

 Tierdrztliche Wochenschrift, 1909). 



Yellow Flag {Iris Pseud-acorus L.). The wild Flag was noted by 

 Linnaeus as dangerous to cattle, but no case of actual poisoning has 

 been found in the Hterature. The plant is stated to have marked emetic 

 and purgative properties, and Cornevin remarks that in Belgium intense 

 gastro-enteritis is attributed to it. It contains the glucoside Iridin 

 (C24H26O13). 



Narcissus sp. Various Narcissi (e.g. N. pseudo-narcissus, N. poeticus, 

 and others) have been regarded as irritant to the hands. They would 

 rarely if ever be eaten by live-stock in Britain, but it is stated that 

 on the Continent many poisonings of cattle, goats, and pigs have been 

 recorded, not infrequently ending in death after two or three days. 

 The Narcissi are strongly narcotic, emetic, and purgative, and cause 

 dilated pupils. Pott states that they cause inflammation of the digestive 

 tract, and convulsions, sometimes with fatal results; and according 

 to Pammel N. poeticus induces intense gastro-enteritis. N. pseudo- 

 narcissus contains the alkaloid Narcissine {C^^^^ldiyO^^), which with 

 cats causes nausea and purgation (Henry). 



Common Fritillary {Fritillaria Meleagris L.). The Fritillary or 

 Snake's Head occurs only in a few places in England, and truly wild 

 perhaps only rarely in southern and eastern counties — not in Scotland or 

 Ireland. No definite case of poisoning has been found in the literature, 

 but the plant is stated to be poisonous. It contains the bitter 

 alkaloid Imperialine (C35HgoN04), which is a heart poison. 



Bog Asphodel {Narthecium ossifragum Huds.) has by some been 

 regarded as a poisonous plant, and Miiller says that the poisoning of 

 cows has been recorded, and also that a cat died after drinking the milk 

 of an affected cow. The toxic property is beUeved to be the glucoside 

 Narihecin. 



L. 7 



