726 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



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

 pepper has been used. Thresh isolated a principle to which he gave the name 

 of capsaicin C 9 H 14 NO , however, the bitter pungent substance has been called 

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

 stance C,, 5 H 54 N 3 O 4 . This is so powerful that 1 part in 11,000,000 will impart 

 the pungent taste. A volatile alkaloid resembling coniin has been found in 

 small quantities. 



3. Nicandra Adans. Apple of Peru 



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

 \vneel shaped or somewhat funnel shaped with widely spreading border; tube 

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



Nicandra Pliysalodes (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 the United States. 



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

 of the United States. 



4. Hyoscyamus (Tourn.) L. Henbane 



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

 pinnatifid; flowers large, calyx bell-shaped or urn-shaped, 5-lobed; corolla 

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

 calyx, 2-celled. 



About 15 species, native to the Mediterranean region. Medicinal and 

 poisonous plants. 



Hyoscyanius niger L. Black 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 hyoscyamin 

 is obtained. Hyoscyamin is an anodyne and hypnotic and is poisonous. Dr. 

 Chesnut says: 



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

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

 of its ill odor and harsh texture. 



It contains hyoscyamin, C 17 H .,NO. i , causing a dilation of the pupils 

 and having a sharp and disagreeable taste. It also contains pseiido-hyoscyamin 

 C 17 H 23 NO 3 , another alkaloid, and hyoscin C 17 H 00 NO ; the latter of which 

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

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

 has a tobacco-like odor and a bitter taste. According to Dr. Winslow, the 

 hyocsyamin is practically atropin except that its mydriatic action is shorter. 

 Hyoscin is a powerful depressant to the cerebrum, respiratory center, spinal 

 reflex centers, and motor tract. It is a cerebral sedative. According to Wins- 

 low : 



The tetanic stage succeeding spinal paralysis, observed in atropin C H NO poison- 



17 2?, 3 



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



