'The synthesis of an open-chain analogue of podophyllotoxin' --
subject(s): Organic compounds, Podophyllotoxin, Synthesis
View page
The umbrella fruit (named for the palmate leaves of the plant)
is more commonly known as the Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) which
is found in most of the Eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. All
parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous
(podophyllotoxin). It is best used as an ornamental plant.
(Aconite, wolfsbane, monkshood) (Aconitum napellus). The poison is concentrated in the unripe seed pods and roots, but all parts are poisonous. Causes digestive upset, nervous excitement. The juice in plant parts is often fatal. It is a quick-acting poison often used to coat poisonous arrows in Asia.
. Also known as Sabi Star, Kudu or Desert-rose.The plant exudes a highly toxic sap which is used by the Meridian High and Hadza in Tanzania, to coat arrow-tips for hunting.
. The juice of a number of species causes acute contact dermatitis, with blistering lasting several weeks and recurring itching for several years thereafter.
, known commonly as Jequirity, Crab's Eye, Rosary Pea, 'John Crow' Bead, Precatory bean, Indian Licorice, Akar Saga, Giddee Giddee or Jumbie Bead in Trinidad & Tobago. Particularly dangerous as the brightly-coloured seeds (usually black and red) are commonly used in jewellry and easily eaten by children.
/ Elephant Ear. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Symptoms are generally irritation, pain, and swelling of tissues. If the mouth or tongue swell, breathing may be fatally blocked.
(Ricinus communis). The phytotoxin is ricin, an extremely toxic water-soluble protein, which is concentrated in the seed. Also present are ricinine, an alkaloid, and an irritant oil. Causes burning in mouth and throat, convulsions, and is often fatal.
(Narcissus (genus)). The bulbs are poisonous and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Can be fatal. Stems also cause headaches, vomiting, and blurred vision.
/ poison ryegrass (Lolium temulentum). The seeds and seed heads of this common garden weed may contain the alkaloids temuline and loliine. Some experts also point to the fungusergotor fungi of the genus endoconidium, both of which grow on the seed heads of rye grasses, as an additional source of toxicity.[3]
/ nightshade. Contains the alkaloidsscopolamine and atropine. Datura has been used as a hallucinogenic drug by the native peoples of the Americas and others.[4]Incorrect dosage can lead to death.
(Atropa belladonna). All parts of the plant contain the toxic alkaloidatropine. The young plants and seeds are especially poisonous, causing nausea, muscle twitches, paralysis; often fatal.
/ dieffenbachia. All parts are poisonous, causing intense burning, irritation, and immobility of the tongue, mouth, and throat. Swelling can be severe enough to block breathing, leading to death.
(Digitalis purpurea). The leaves, seeds, and flowers are poisonous, containing cardiac or other steroid glycosides. These cause irregular heartbeat, general digestive upset, and confusion. Can be fatal.
is a phototoxic plant. Its sap can cause phytophotodermatitis (severe skin inflammations) when the skin is exposed to sunlight or to UV-rays. Initially the skin colours red and starts itching. Then blisters form as in burns within 48 hours. They form black or purplish scars, which can last several years. Hospitalisation may become necessary. Presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.
(Conium maculatum). All parts of the plant contain the relatively simple alkaloidconiine which causes stomach pains, vomiting, and progressive paralysis of the central nervous system. Can be fatal; it is the poison that killed Socrates. Not to be confused with hemlock trees (Tsugaspp), which are not edible but are not nearly as toxic as the herbaceous plant Conium.
/ datura / thorn apple / stinkweed / Jamestown weed (Datura stramonium). All parts of the plant are poisonous, causing abnormal thirst, vision distortions, delirium, incoherence, coma. Often fatal. A significant grazing livestock poison in North America.
(Podophyllum peltatum). Green portions of the plant, unripe fruit, and especially the rhizome contain the non-alkaloid toxin podophyllotoxin, which causes diarrhea, severe digestive upset.
. All parts of the plant are highly poisonous. Ancient warriors used it to poison their enemies' water supplies. Used in the past for killing wolves. Causes burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth, then the intestine, followed by vomiting; death by asphyxiation.
. (Quercus ssp). Most species' foliage and acorns are mildly poisonous, causing digestive upset, heart trouble, contact dermatitis. Rarely fatal. Consumed, after proper processing, as a staple in many parts of the world.
(Nerium oleander). All parts are toxic, containing nerioside, oleandroside, saponins, and cardiac glycosides, but especially the leaves and woody stems. They cause severe digestive upset, heart trouble, contact dermatitis. Very toxic. The smoke of burning oleander can cause reactions in the lungs, and can be fatal.
(Toxicodendron radicans), Poison-oak (T. diversilobum), and Poison sumac (T. vernix). All parts of these plants contain a highly irritating oil with urushiol (actually not a poison, but an allergen). Skin reactions can include blisters and rashes. It spreads readily to clothes and back again, and has a very long life. Infections can follow scratching. As stated, this is an allergen, and the toxin will not affect certain people. The smoke of burning poison ivy can cause reactions in the lungs, and can be fatal.
(Phytolacca sp.). Leaves, berries and roots contain phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin. Toxin in young leaves is reduced with each boiling and draining.
(Ligustrum sp.). Berries and leaves are poisonous. Berries contain ligustrin and syringin, which cause digestive disturbances, nervous symptoms. Can be fatal.
lancia | African sumac (Rhus lancia). Closely related to poison ivy, all parts of this tree contain low levels of a highly irritating oil with urushiol (actually not a poison, but an allergen). Skin reactions can include blisters and rashes. It spreads readily to clothes and back again, and has a very long life. Infections can follow scratching. As stated, this is an allergen, and the toxin will not affect certain people. The smoke of burning rhus lancia can cause reactions in the lungs, and can be fatal.
(Dendrocnide excelsa, Stinging tree) and similar species. The plant is capable of inflicting a painful sting when touched. The stinging may last for several days and is exacerbated by touching, rubbing, and cold. Can be fatal.
(Strychnos nux-vomica). The seeds of the strychnine tree usually contain about 1.5% strychnine, an extremely bitter and deadly alkaloid. This substance throws a human into intense muscle convulsions and usually kills within three hours. The bark of the tree may also contain brucine, another dangerous chemical.
(Cicuta sp.). The root, when freshly pulled out of the ground, is extremely poisonous and contains the toxin Cicutoxin. When dried, poison is reduced to roughly 3 to 5 percent of that when fresh.
(Ageratina altissima) All parts are poisonous, causing nausea and vomiting. Often fatal. Milk from cattle that have eaten white snakeroot can sicken, or kill, humans (milk sickness).
(Taxus baccata). Nearly all parts of the Yew contain toxic taxanes, except the red fleshy aril surrounding the toxic seeds.[6][7]Yew seeds are especially toxic if chewed.[8]Several people have committed suicide by ingesting leaves and seeds.[9][10]