Common poisonous plants of New England — Themes and Context

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COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS OF NEW ENGLAND

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Public Health Service

This material was prepared by Heber W. Youngken, Jr., Ph. D., Dean of the College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston; and Joseph S. Karas, M.D., Director of the Poison Control Center at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, and is published by the Rhode Island Health Department in cooperation with the U.S. Public Health Service, Division of Accident Prevention. The photographs were provided by Dean Youngken.

RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Division of Health Education and Information and THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

In Cooperation With U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE

Public Health Service Division of Accident Prevention Washington, D.C. 20201

Public Health Service Publication No. 1220 April 1964

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C., 20402

COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS OF NEW ENGLAND

Page Introduction ii Amanita mushroom 1 Baneberry 2 Bittersweet 3 Bloodroot 4 Castor bean 5 Christmas rose 6 Daphne 7 Deadly nightshade 8 Foxglove 9 Green hellebore 10 Indian hemp 11 Jimson weed 12 Larkspur 13 Lily-of-the-valley 14 Monkshood 15 Poison-hemlock 16 Poison-ivy 17 Pokeweed 18 Water hemlock 19 Yew 20 Poison Control Centers 21 Plant Index 23

Prompted by the many telephone calls and inquiries received at the Rhode Island Poison Control and Information Centers regarding plants, flowers, and berries, the State Department of Health has developed the information contained in this booklet. It will aid families in planning safe gardens, give fuller knowledge of wild plants, and, in the case of an accidental ingestion, provide assistance in identifying the plant. Since verbal descriptions are frequently inadequate, and nonprofessional determination of species often uncertain, there has been a need for a more expedient means of identifying plants and their toxicity.

Because the toxicity of these plants will vary with the size of the child, the season, and the quantity and part of the plant eaten, it is necessary that a physician determine the necessary treatment for each case.

=THIS BOOKLET ENCOURAGES THE EMPTYING OF THE STOMACH OF A VICTIM BY VOMITING AS A GENERAL MEASURE IN PREVENTING SERIOUS INJURY.

VOMITING SHOULD NOT BE INDUCED IF THE VICTIM IS UNCONSCIOUS OR CONVULSING.=

Some basic information is included for physicians who might be unaware of the toxic principles and their effects in these particular plants. Although the seriousness of each accident must be judged individually, it is necessary that the plant be accurately identified and that sufficient information on its toxicity be readily available. Many other poisonous plants could have been included in this booklet, but, the purpose was to discuss those found most commonly, although not exclusively, in the New England States.

The names and telephone numbers of the Poison Control Centers in the New England area are included for the convenience of your physician. (See page 21.)

Cover picture: European bittersweet _Solanum dulcamara_ (see page 3)

=Description=: One of the most poisonous of the mushrooms (toadstools). Found mostly in woody areas, along roadsides, and waste places, especially at the base of pine and similar trees. Unlike many edible mushrooms, this poisonous amanita has a fleshy bulb-like base and yellow stalk (stipe) with scaly growths and a cap or top (pileus). Often a white ring (annulus) of soft ragged tissue may be observed on the stalk under its cap. All amanita mushrooms should, in general, be considered poisonous. The top, which may be 3 to 6 inches wide, varies in color from bright orange to red with white to gray warty growths on it. Under the cap are numerous very white gills which distinguish this mushroom from most edible types. The latter usually have pink to purple gills. These mushrooms form in groups, or are scattered.

Other poisonous mushrooms found in New England are the Death Cup, _Amanita phalloides_; jack-o’-lantern, _Clitocybe illudens_; Shaggy mane, _Coprinus comatus_; and the _Boletus_ and _Russula_ species. There are many others. Perhaps the best precaution is to avoid eating any mushroom not certified by an expert to be edible.

=Poisonous Parts=: All portions are poisonous. The chief toxic principle is an alkaloid, =muscarine=. Amanita poisoning is characterized by intense sweating, salivation, wheezing, irregular breathing and heart beat. If not treated promptly, it =can be fatal= within an hour depending upon quantities consumed.

=Antidote=: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for =muscarine= alkaloid poisoning or excessive muscarinic stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, also dehydration. Atropine and other similar drugs counteract the effects of =muscarine=.