Jerusalem-cherry-Solanum pseudocapsicum L.-Poisonous plant

Jerusalem-cherry

General poisoning notes:

Jerusalem-cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) is an indoor ornamental grown for its colorful berries. This plant contains an alkaloid, solanocapsine, that is related to solanine. Experiments have shown that the chemical can cause death, although it is unlikely because oral absorption of the toxin is minimal. Experiments with cats and rats have shown that oral ingesting leaves and berries has not caused severe symptoms. By extrapolation, children or family pets that ingest moderate amounts of leaf or berry material may experience mild gastroenteritis and vomiting (Der Marderosian et al. 1976, Spoerke and Smolinske 1990).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Solanum pseudocapsicum L.

Vernacular name(s): Jerusalem-cherry

Scientific family name: Solanaceae

Vernacular family name: nightshade

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

In experiments, extracts of the unripe and ripe berries have caused deaths in rats; the doses were very high and were given intraperitoneally. However, rats that ingested leaves did not die. Humans who ingest berries probably experience only mild gastrointestinal effects (Spoerke and Smolinske 1990).

Toxic parts:

Immature fruit, leaves, mature fruit.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Solanocapsine is an alkaloid that is structurally similar to solanine. It has a similar steroidal skeleton with an additional nitrogen group, but it is not a glycoside. Slowing of frog hearts has been shown with concentrations as low as 1:8 million. Oral absorption is minimal in animals. Rats experimentally injected with extracts from berries of Jerusalem-cherry (intraperitoneally, 3 g/100 g of body weight) resulted in the following fatalities:

·            ripe fruit => 3 out of 5 rats killed

·            unripe fruit => 4 out of 5 rats killed

These results indicate that death is possible, although the dosages given were very high (Der Marderosian et al. 1976, Spoerke and Smolinske 1990).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Solanocapsine.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cats

General symptoms of poisoning:

Heart rate, slow.

Notes on poisoning:

Oral administration of pure solanocapsine has produced only slow heart rate and vomiting. Injection resulted in seizures and death. Oral ingestion of berries or leaves would likely produce only mild gastroenteritis and vomiting (Spoerke and Smolinske 1990).

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Abdominal pains, gastroenteritis, vomiting.

Notes on poisoning:

Experiments on animals suggest that children who ingest leaf or berry material might suffer only mild gastroenteritis or vomiting. Nevertheless, children should be taught to avoid eating these plants (Spoerke and Smolinske 1990).