Blue cohosh
General poisoning notes:
Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum
thalictroides) is a native plant found in rich woods in eastern Canada. The
plant contains chemicals that can cause cell damage. Experiments show that
handling powdered root can cause irritation of mucous membranes, with possible
dermatitis. No case histories of poisoning were found in the literature, but
the plant has poisoning potential. Children should not be allowed to eat the
attractive blue fruits of this plant (Muenscher 1975, Lampe and McCann 1985).
No references were found of poisoning of livestock.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Caulophyllum thalictroides
(L.) Michaux
Vernacular
name(s): blue cohosh
Scientific family
name: Berberidaceae
Vernacular family
name: barberry
Geographic Information
Manitoba, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec.
Notes on Poisonous plant parts:
The berries and roots
contain chemicals that are cytotoxic, causing cell damage. The plant is
extremely bitter and is not usually ingested by livestock. (Muenscher 1975,
Lampe and McCann 1985).
Toxic parts:
Mature fruit, roots
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
An alkaloid and
saponins occur in this plant. The chemicals are cytotoxic, damaging animal
cells. The plant is reported to have orally active oxytocic substances, which
cause uterine contractions (Fergusen and Edwards 1954, Lampe and McCann 1985).
Toxic plant chemicals:
N-methylcytisine
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an
animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993)
contained no detailed explanation.
Humans
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Mouth,
irritation of
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