IMPORTANT POISONOUS PLANTS 101 



Oregon and Washington. It produces a large, strong root-stock and is said to 

 be poisonous to cattle and horses. 



Adiantum pedatum L. Maiden Hair Fern. 



Said to be poisonous. Widely distributed in Northern States. 



Aspidium marginale L. 



The root-stock is used as a remedy for the expulsion of tapeworm and un- 

 doubtedly sometimes produces poisoning. E. N. Am., Canada to Mo. 



Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh. Bladder fern. 



This and many other ferns, according to Greshoff, contain HCN. 

 Osmuiidaceae. Royal Ferns. 



Osmunda ctaytoniana L. 



This fern is widely distributed in the eastern states. The odor is not 

 pleasant and the plant is undoubtedly more or less poisonous. 

 Equisetaceae. Horsetails. 



Equisetum arvense L. 



The common horse-tail is supposed to be injurious to horses* as reported 

 in Vermont by Dr. Richman and Professor Jones, and reports of poisoning in 

 other parts of the country are recorded. In Europe it has long been suspected 

 of being poisonous. 



Equisetum robustum A. Br. 



It is common in the state and, like the preceding, is considered poisonous. 



A suspected case of poisoning recently was reported to the writer from Iowa. 



EMBRYOPHYTA SIPHONOGAMA 



(Flowering Plants) 

 GYMNOSPERMAE Conifers and Allies 



Taxaceae. Yews. 



Taxus canadensis Marsh. American yew. 



Found in northern U. S., especially on calcareous sandstone rocks or in 

 sandy woods. The European species has long been regarded as poisonous to- 

 stock. Cases of poisoning have been reported in this country as well. It con- 

 tains toxic substances, one of which is known as taxin. 



Taxus brevifolia Nutt. Yew. Common on Pacific Coast. 

 Pinaceae. Pines and Junipers. 



Juniperus communis L. Common juniper. 



Poisonous, especially tjie oil obtained from the juniper berries. Rusby and 

 others refer to the poisonous nature of this plant, and Schafifner records that 

 goats are poisoned by eating the leaves. Common only in lime and sandstone 

 rocks in Northern U. S. and Rocky Mountains. 



Juniperus virginiana L. Red Cedar. 



Common in Northern and Eastern N. Am. to Texas. The leaves contain 

 the same principle as that found in the juniper, and according to Schaffner, 

 are poisonous to goats. The oil produces abortion and poisoning has also re- 

 sulted from its use.' The oil of Cedar has well known antiseptic properties. It 

 contains an aromatic body, cedren, oil of cedar, from which cedren-camphor has. 

 been obtained. 



Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. 



