The North American Guide to Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms by Nancy J. Turner

Author:Nancy J. Turner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Timber Press
Published: 2009-01-29T05:00:00+00:00

Crotalaria spectabilis. Larry Allain at USGS, National Wetlands Research Center

Toxicity. As with ragworts (Senecio spp.) and some members of the borage family, rattlebox species contain a dangerous group of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in their seeds, leaves, and stems. The major compounds include monocrotaline, spectabiline, retusine, retusamine, anacrotine, and nilgirine. Humans have been poisoned through eating the seeds (as a contaminant of grain) or drinking a medicinal tea made from the plants. The main effect is severe liver damage (veno-occlusive liver disease, or Budd-Chiari syndrome, with hepatic vein thrombosis leading to cirrhosis). Symptoms are abdominal pain, enlargement of liver and spleen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Livestock of all types, particularly horses, cattle, poultry, and pigs, are often poisoned by Crotalaria spectabilis and other rattlebox species. Animal poisoning generally parallels that of humans, with severe damage to liver and spleen.

Notes. Crotalaria spectabilis and several other rattlebox species were originally introduced to the United States in the 1920s by the Bureau of Plant Industry as potential soil builders, hay, and forage crops; it was not until a decade later that their toxicity was discovered.

Another toxic plant in the same family is Sesbania punicea, also commonly known as rattlebox, as well as false poinciana and sesbane. Its seeds and flowers contain toxic saponins and are potentially fatal. It is grown as an ornamental shrub and also occurs as a garden escape in the southeastern United States.

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