Jan. 13, 1923 
Poisonous Properties of Bikukulla cucullaria 
77 
the material was eaten until the following day when approximately 5 
pounds were consumed between 7.30 a. m. and 5.30 p. m. Then trem¬ 
bling, convulsions and all other symptoms manifested by steer 2 were 
exhibited. As in the case of steer 2 this aninmal was eating heartily of 
the bulbs at the time of seizure. 
There was no appreciable difference in the time both animals were 
down or in their condition during recovery. These two cases agree so 
closely in every respect that they are regarded as practically identical. 
STEER 4.—Between April 19 and April 25 this animal received 60 
pounds of Bikukulla cucullaria tops which included the flowers. There 
were no ripe seeds in the material. The quantity consumed daily ranged 
from 4 to 11% pounds. No symptoms of poisoning were observed during 
the seven days the animal was under observation. 
Stk^r 3.—This animal consumed approximately 55 pounds of the 
entire plant of Bikukulla canadensis between 5.30 p. m., April 19 and 
12.30 p. m., April 27. The quantity consumed daily ranged from 3X 
to 9X pounds. Aside from a slight restlessness and uneasiness on the 
second day of feeding, when 7>^pounds of the plant were eaten, no 
injurious effect was observed. 
STEER 6.—This animal was brought in for feeding on the afternoon of 
April 24, and was given the entire plant of Bikukulla canadensis. Feed¬ 
ing was continued until noon, April 27, up to which time he had consumed 
16 pounds of this material. Six and one-half pounds of the plant were 
eaten on April 24, and on April 25 the animal was restless and uneasy 
practically all day, but no other symptoms were manifested. 
These experiments confirm the popular opinion that Bikukulla cucul¬ 
laria is poisonous to cattle, but more definite feeding experiments must 
be performed with Bikukulla canadensis before it can be positively stated 
that this species constitutes a menace to live stock. 
CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH POISONING MAY OCCUR 
Most of the cases of poisoning occur early in the spring. The danger 
is usually past by the middle of May, although in some of the higher 
altitudes poisoning may occur as late as June. Poisoning is said to 
occur most frequently following heavy rains, when, the soil being soft, 
the bulbs of the plant are mostly likely to be pulled up and eaten. The 
experiments show that both species of Bikukulla used are unpalatable to 
cattle and therefore unlikely to be eaten in harmful quantities when 
suitable forage is available. 
SUMMARY 
(1) Bikukulla culcullaria and B. canadensis , in Virginia popularly 
called “little staggerweeds,” have long been considered poisonous to 
cattle. 
(2) Chemical examination has shown that both these plants contain 
toxic alkaloids and that the tops as well as the bulbs of B. cucullaria are 
poisonous. 
(3) B. cucullaria contains at least one alkaloid of a highly poisonous 
nature. This alkaloid, heretofore apparently unknown, has been named 
cucullarine, and its properties are described. 
(4) Cucullarine probably occurs in B. canadensis also, since its physio¬ 
logical effect on mice closely resembles that of B. cucullaria. 
(5) Feeding experiments show that B. cucullaria is toxic for cattle. 
