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IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 
live stock, especially horses. It contains the glucoside digitalin CiaHisOao 
which dilates the pupil. Digitoxin, digitonin CsiEUOit. Digitalein. 
242. Gerardia tenuifolia, Vahl. Slender Gerardia. 
Said to be poisonous to sheep and calves. Probably other species are like- 
wise poisonous, like G. grandiflora and G. purpurea. 
243. Pedicularis lanceolata, Mx. Lousewort. 
Widely distributed in low grounds and swamps. Said to be poisonous. 
244. Pedicularis canadensis, L. Lousewort. 
Widely distributed in the state, gravelly soils and knolls. Said to be poison- 
ous. Sheep, however, eat large quantities of the P. groenlandica without ap- 
parent injuries. 
Bignoniaceae. 
245. Catalpa speciosa, Warder. Hardy Catalpa. 
Widely distributed in the state, odor coming from the fragrant flowers is 
poisonous and Dr. White in his Dermititis Venenata states that the flowers 
are irritating to many persons. Dr. Millspaugh, on the other hand, makes 
a statement that it is said to be dangerous to inhale the odor of the flowers 
for a long time, which, however, is probably not generally true. The allied 
Caroba contains the bitter principle carobin. 
246. Catalpa bignonioides, Walt. Common Catalpa. 
Occasionally cultivated in the state, but scarcely hardy. Poisonous like 
the preceding. 
RUBIALES. Rubiaceae. 
247. Cephalanthus occidentalis, L. Buttonbush. 
This plant commonly occurs in low grounds, especially along river courses.. 
The leaves contain a poisonous principle. Contains cephalanthin C 22 H 34 O 6 , a. 
very bitter glucoside. 
Caprifoliaceae. 
248. Triosteum perfoliatum, L. Feverwort, Horse-gentian. 
Widely distributed in woods. Some species of the genus were used by the 
Indians as a cure for fevers and early practitioners in this country used the 
root as an emetic- In the early days the berries of this plant were used as a 
substitute for coffee. The physiological action of the plant is to produce- 
vomiting. 
249. Sambucus canadensis, L. Elderberry. 
Dr. Rusby states that the plant is poisonous. The elderberry is widely 
distributed in the state and the flowers of this are commonly used to prepare 
a tea. 
250. Symphoricarpos vulgaris, Michx. Coral-berry. 
Common in southern Iowa, occurring on sterile or rocky soils and on borders 
of woods. 
CAMPANULATAE. Campanulaceae. 
251. Lobelia cardinalis, L. Cardinal-flower. 
This is listed as one of the poisonous plants by Dr. S chaff ner. Cardinal- 
flower is very abundant in the swamps along river courses in Eastern Iowa* 
less common in Central Iowa. 
