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IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 
Anonaceae. Custard Apple Family. 
109. Asimina triloba, Dunal. Papaw. 
It occurs in eastern Iowa as far north as Clinton and Dubuque. The paw- 
paw is commonly eaten, but a case of poisoning is reported. 
Berberidaceae. 
110. Berberis aquifolium, Pursh. Trailing Mahonia. 
Cultivated. Poisonous. According to Schaffner, the berries are injurious 
to birds. Probably contains the alkaloids berberine C20H17NO4 and oxyacanthine 
C 32 H 46 N 2 O 11 , which occurs in the common barberry. 
111. Podophyllum peltatum, L. May Apple or Mandrake. 
This plant is widely distributed east of the Missouri divide. The roots and 
leaves are drastic and are known to be poisonous. It is said also that when 
the leaves are eaten by cows, they produce injurious milk. Dr. Rusby states “a 
fatal case is recorded in which the evidence is perfectly clear that poisoning 
resulted from continued large doses administered by an ignorant and careless 
physician. The poisonous symptoms were all referable to the bowels, those of 
enteritis. It is also very interesting to note the peculiar effects of poisoning 
of the external skin by the powder and by the resin of this plant. It produces 
an ulcer of a very peculiar character, closely resembling one of venereal origin. 
Serious errors of diagnosis, leading to the gravest injustice to the reputation 
of the patient, have been known to occur in reference to these cases. A very 
serious ulcer upon the eye-ball is among these recorded cases.” The roots, 
according to Dr. White, are irritating to the eye, nose, and mouth and skin. 
Contains picropodophyllin CiiHsCh+IRO, podophyllotoxin CuHi0 2 . The 
podophyllin is a resinous mixture. 
Menispermaceae. 
112 . Menispermum canadense, L. Canadian Moonseed. 
This plant is widely distributed in woods in Iowa. According to Dr. 
Schaffner, contains menispermine, and menispine. A case is reported of the 
death of three boys from eating the berries in mistake for grapes. The 
Cocculus indicus is a well-known remedy for the destruction of pediculi and is 
known to be poisonous. It contains picrotoxin C 30 H 31 O 13 , cocculin CioILcOio and 
an alkaloid menispermine C 1 SH 24 N 2 O 2 . 
Calycanthaceae. 
113. Calycanthus floridus, L. 
Cultivated in Southern Iowa. The aromatic properties of the flowers re- 
semble those of strawberries. This makes it a very desirable cultivated orna- 
mental plant. It contains an active principle calycanthine. Chesnut records 
it as poisonous. 
Lauraceae. 
114. Sassafras officinale, Nees. Sassafras. 
The berries of this plant are reported to be poisonous, according to Schaffner. 
This species is found native only in southeastern Iowa. 
RHOE DALES. Papaveraceae. 
115. Papaver somniferum, L. Opium. 
Opium is obtained from the common garden poppy. This species is widely 
cultivated in the state, and is frequently spontaneous. The more common 
