Phytolacca Americana

Phytolacca Americana

American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a large semi-succulentherbaceous perennial plantgrowing up to 10 feet (3 metres) in height. It is native to easternNorth America, the Midwest, and the Gulf Coast, with more scattered populations in the far West. It is also known asVirginia poke, American nightshade,cancer jalap, coakum, garget, inkberry, pigeon berry, pocan, pokeroot, pokeweed,pokeberry, redweed,scoke, red ink plantandchui xu shang lu(inChinese medicine). Sometimes the plant is also referred to aspoke sallet (orpolk salad). Parts of this plant are highlytoxictolivestockand humans, and it is considered a major pest by farmers. Nonetheless, some parts can be used as food, medicine, or poison if properly prepared.Why is it harmful?

Toxic components of the plant include saponins based on the triterepene genins phytolaccagenin, jaligonic acid, phytolaccagenic acid (phytolaccinic acid), esculentic acid, and pokeberrygenin.These include phytolaccosides A, B, D, E, and G, and phytolaccasaponins B, E, and G.Phytolaccigenincauseshemagglutination.Additional toxic constituents which have been identified include the alkaloidsphytolaccineandphytolaccotoxin, as well as aglycoprotein.

The poisonous principles are found in highest concentrations in the rootstock, leaves, and stems while only small amounts are in the ripe fruits. The plant generally gets more toxic with maturity with the exception of the berries which are more toxic while still green. Rheum rhabarbarum

Rhubarb(Rheum rhabarbarum) is a species of plant in the family Polygonaceae. It is a herbaceousperennialgrowing from short, thickrhizomes. It produces largeleavesthat are somewhat triangular, with long fleshypetioles and smallflowersgrouped in large compound leafy greenish-white torose-red inflorescences.

In culinary use, fresh raw petioles (leaf stalks) are crisp (similar tocelery) with a strong, tart taste. Most commonly, the plant's leaf stalks are cooked withsugar and used in pies and other desserts. A number of varieties have been domesticated for human consumption, most of which are recognised asRheumxhybridumby theRoyal Horticultural Society.

Rhubarb containsanthraquinonesincludingrhein, andemodinand their glycosides (e.g. glucorhein), which impartcatharticandlaxativeproperties. It is hence useful as a cathartic in case of constipation.

Why Is It Harmful?

Rhubarb leaves containpoisonoussubstances, includingoxalic acid, which is anephrotoxicandcorrosiveacid that is present in many plants. Humans have been poisoned after ingesting the leaves. Such poisoning was a particular problem in World War I, when the leaves were recommended as a food source in Britain.

Toxicodendron radicans

Toxicodendron radicans, commonly known aspoison ivy(older synonyms are Rhus toxicodendronandRhus radicans),is a poisonousNorth AmericanandAsian flowering plant that is well known for causing an itching, irritating, and sometimes painfulrashin most people who touch it, caused byurushiol, a clear liquid compound in thesapof the plant.Urushiol, however, is not a defensive measure; it helps the plant to retain water. It is variable in its appearance and habit, and despite its common name it is not a trueivy(Hedera).T. radicansis commonly eaten by many animals, and the seeds are consumed by birds,but poison ivy is most often thought of as an unwelcomeweed.Why Is It Harmful?

Urushiol-induced contact dermatitisis theallergic reactioncaused by poison ivy. In extreme cases, a reaction can progress toanaphylaxis. Around 15% to 30% of people have no allergic reaction to urushiol, but most people will have a greater reaction with repeated or more concentrated exposure. Thepentadecylcatecholsof theoleoresinwithin the sap of poison ivy and related plants causes the allergic reaction; the plants produce a mixture of pentadecylcatechols, which collectively is called urushiol. After injury, the sap leaks to the surface of the plant where the urushiol becomes a blackishlacquerafter contact with oxygen.

Urushiol binds to the skin on contact, where it causes severe itching that develops into reddish coloured inflammation or non-coloured bumps, and thenblistering. These lesions may be treated withCalaminelotion,Burow's solutioncompresses or baths to relieve discomfort, though recent studies have shown some traditional medicines to be ineffectiveDatura stramonium

Datura stramonium, known by thecommon namesJimson weed,Devil's snare, ordatura, is a plant in theSolanaceae(nightshade) family. It is believed to have originated in theAmericas, but is now found around the world.Other common names forD. stramoniuminclude thornapple and moon flower, and it has the Spanish name Toloache. Other names for the plant includehell's bells, devils trumpet, devils weed, tolguacha, Jamestown weed, stinkweed,locoweed, pricklyburr, anddevils cucumber.

Why Is It Harmful?

All parts ofDaturaplants contain dangerous levels of thetropane alkaloidsatropine, hyoscyamine, andscopolamine, which are classified asdeliriants, oranticholinergics. The risk of fataloverdoseis high among uninformed users, and many hospitalizations occur amongst recreational users who ingest the plant for its psychoactive effects.

The amount of toxins varies widely from plant to plant. As much as a 5:1 variation can be found between plants, and a given plant's toxicity depends on its age, where it is growing, and the local weather conditions.Additionally, within a given datura plant, toxin concentration varies by part and even from leaf to leaf. When the plant is younger, the ratio of scopolamine to atropine is about 3:1; after flowering, this ratio is reversed, with the amount of scopolamine continuing to decrease as the plant gets older.This variation makesDaturaexceptionally hazardous as a drug. In traditional cultures, a great deal of experience with and detailed knowledge ofDaturawas critical to minimize harm. An individual datura seed contains about 0.1mg of atropine, and the approximate fatal dose for adult humans is >10mg atropine or >24mg scopolamine. Robinia pseudoacacia

Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known as theblack locust, is atreeof thegenus Robiniain the subfamilyFaboideaeof the pea familyFabaceae. It is native to the southeasternUnited States, but has been widely planted andnaturalizedelsewhere in temperate North America,Europe,Southern AfricaandAsiaand is considered an invasive species in some areas. Another common name isfalse acacia, which is a literal translation of thespecific epithet. It was introduced into Britain in 1636.

Why Is It Harmful?

Black locusts pods are small and light, and easily carried long distances. Although the bark and leaves are toxic, various reports suggest that the seeds and the young pods of the black locust are edible. Shelled seeds are safe to harvest from summer through fall, and are edible both raw and/or boiled. Due to the small nature of Black Locust seeds, shelling them efficiently can prove tedious and difficult. In France and in ItalyRobinia pseudoacaciaflowers are eaten asbeignetsafter being coated inbatterand fried in oil.[14]Important constituents of the plant are thetoxalbumin robin, which loses its toxicity when heated androbinin, a non-toxicglucoside. Horses that consume the plant show signs ofanorexia, depression,incontinence,colic, weakness, andcardiac arrhythmia. Symptoms usually occur about 1 hour following consumption, and immediate veterinary attention is required

Source: www.wikipedia.org Researched by: Randolf M. Ricohermoso