50 PASTORAL AND AGRICULTURAL BOTANY 



juice used as a substitute for red ink (Fig. 20) . The plant is a native of the 

 United States, extending from Maine and northern Illinois to Florida 

 westward to Texas, eastern Kansas and southern Minnesota. The young 

 fresh shoots as they appear above the ground are used for greens, 

 but the root should be rejected as it is bitter and poisonous if taken in 

 large amount. The water in which the plant is boiled should be thrown 

 away, as it contains the poisonous substance. 



FIG. 20. Tall plant of Poke (Phytolacca decandra) in abandoned manure pit in front 

 of stable at Belmar, N. J., August 23, 1919. The ripe fruits may be seen on close 

 inspection. 



Action and Symptoms. Poke is a violent, but slow acting emetic, 

 vomiting beginning after about two hours have elapsed from the ingestion 

 of the food. It affects the muscles and nerves Causing retching, spasms, 

 severe purging and occasionally convulsions. Accidental cases of poison- 

 ing have occurred where the root has been mistaken for parsnip and horse- 

 radish. A few fatal cases of the poisoning of children have followed the 

 eating of the juicy berries. 



|* Active Principal. The active principal of poke is an amorphous, bitter 

 and acid substance very similar to if not identical with saponin. The 

 alkaloid^ phytolaccin occurs in small amount. Nozi reports a toxic sub- 



