IMPORTANT POISONOUS PLANTS 105 



This plant and other species regarded as poisonous in Europe. 



Agave americana L. Century plant. 



Used as a fish poison in some countries. Cultivated. 



Zephyranthes atamasco (h.) Herb. Atamasco lily. 



From Pa. to Florida. Said to produce the disease "staggers."' 



Belamcanda chinensis (L.) D C. Blackberry lily. 



Rhizome acrid, said to be deleterious, E. N. Am. Naturalized. 



Dtoscoreaceae. 



Several species of Dioscorea or yams are poisonous. 



Iridaceae. 



Iris versicolor L. Large Blue-flag. 



The underground root stocks of this plant are known to be very poisonous. 

 Dr. Rusby thinks there is some danger "that it might be eaten in mistake for 

 Calamus, which is commonly known as Sweet-flag. If so, it would prove 

 seriously if not fatally poisonous, as its well-known emetico-cathartic proper- 

 ties, even when toned by drying and keeping, are powerful, and in a fresh 

 state would be decidedly violent." It contains the resinous body iridin. 



Orchidaceae. 



Cypripedium spectabile Swz. Showy Moccasin flower. 



Causes dermatitis resembling that produced by Poison Ivy. A great many 

 persons are more or less susceptible to this form of dermatitis. Swamps in 

 Northern States. 



Cypripedium pubescens Willd. Yellow Lady-slipper. 



Poisonous like the preceding. This species is more widely distributed. 



Cypripedium candidum Muhl. Small white Lady-slipper. 



Less poisonous than the preceding. At one time common in the marshes 

 in the north, but rapidly disappearing. 



DICOTYLEDONEAE. 



Salicaceae 

 Populus balsamifera L. Balsam Poplar. 

 Said by Dr. Halsted to be poisonous. 



Juglandaceae. 



Juglans nigra L. Black walnut. 



It is commonly believed that the bitter principle Juglandin found in the 

 fruit and leaves of this black walnut are more or less poisonous, at least it 

 is thought that difl^erent species may poison the soil and prevent the growth 

 of other plants; this is, however, not well substantiated. Probably contains 

 nucin, an acrid body, causing an irritation which resembles scarlatina. 



Fagaceae. (Beech Family). 

 In Europe beech nuts are known to produce some form of enteritis and the 

 burs of the chestnut, Castanea dentata, produce mechanical injuries. Species 

 of oak(Quercus) particularly the acorns of Quercus rubra are injurious to 

 cattle and the nuts of European oaks produce death in hogs and cattle. This 

 may possibly be due to the tannin and glucoside contained in the seed. The 

 Q. Chrysolepis of California is poisonous. 



