The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-08-18
Correspondence Baiii@ore CoHHiy Hsion,
PoIsoNs IN PLANTS.

Mt. WASHINGTog, August 18th, lSs3.
Mes'rs. Editors An article appeared in Tar
UxIoS Of July 2sth, under the above caption
which while Il contained much valuable infoFmn.
tion on . very important subject, was still incor
rect In some respects, and also omitted the names
Of several plants found In this region which are
reputed TO be poisonous.
Mostpeopie residing in the country are acquain
ted with the vine called poison oak and the swamp
sumac, commonly known as poison ash but few
n familiar rs they should be with those plants
which. while they may be- handled without danger,
arc poisonous when eaten by man or beast. IgnoF.
anee In this respect might lead TO fatal results
aud u would be well for all persons to avoid hand.
ling or placing In their mouths unknown species
Of plants, and none should attempt 10 gather herbl
aud roots for medicinal purposes who are not sr-
perts In the business. 81
The writer Of the article above alluded 10, while
calling attention 10 the ''cicuta watcr hcmlock,
common In our meadows and known as 'eoW bane,"
fails to name a much far dangerous herb, the 100.
mum" which grows on upland pastures This has
green and purple stem from 10 feet high,
with flowers In umbels, like . carrot, aud exhaes
q fetid odOr when bruised. IL IL DECLARED TO be
powerfully narcotic" Il used In medicine aud Il
pretty we'll known among country folks as poison
hemiock. The common PaTsniP, too. although 80
wholesome aud nutritious as q garden vegetable.
when growing wild IL pronounced by botanical
writers TO be acrid aud poisonous.
Among the whortleberTies there u one species
reputcd TO be poisonous. II bears large green
fruit. II IL said the deer feed upon these, hence
they called 10 some localities ''deer berrics"
There j. another genus Of plants closely allied 20
the whortleberries, and particularly abundant In
the tide-w region Of our State, which should
be regarded with suspicion-the genus Androme.
do. There are several species Of this shrub bear
ing pretty looking blossoms, which tempt one 70
pluck them. One Of them. called In the books the
Maryland Anirouneda, has n bad reputation and
l.. h.,. f.. "A.
duced on cattle which eat II.
hut by far the most dangerous class Of plants
found In our State those Of the Nightshadc
tribe. to which belong the Irish potato egg plant
tomato. red pepper and tobacco, aud the lowering
plants Petunia, Nicandra aud ''tea berry," Pref
Wood, in his class book Of Botany, says ga large
portion Of the genera Of this order are pcryadei
by narcotic principle rendering the heritage and
fruit dangerously poisonous, while ut the same
time several Of the species afford wholesome and
nutritious food. not because they free from the
narcotic principle. but because Il Il expelled In
the process Of cooking ripenng, in the tubcrs
of the potato and the fruit Of the tomato aud egg
plant" One species Of Nightshadc l. n common
weed about farm buildings and ON rondsidcs.--
Although the berries OF all of them are said 90 be
poisonous to the human family, Il Is asserted that
wild animals and even hogs eat them with impu-
nitv.
The Siramon ium--.I JAMESTOWN OF crimson" ced
-" abundant on vacant lots around the city and
Is often found about farm yards. The seeds Of
this weed. before they reach maturity, are said 10
possess horrid sweetness which has often tempt.
ell children IT, eat them with fatal results. The
The i.ycum or tea berry" n trailing shrub with
orange rel berries. which hay be found about
many farm houses. Is also Of the Nigh,shade fam.
lily. Its fruit IL not considered poisonous but II
would be well TO avoid putting IL in the mouth.
Poke berries, though eaten by birds, are con.
sidcred dangerous to human beings, but when
,nctured In alcohol they have some reputation as
n remedy for rheumatism. Speaking Of poke Der.
rics. as A. Lincoln used TO say. reminds me Of
little story" Some years ago, in town in Penn.
syivania. when picstuh was very scarce. old
frenchman furnished the citizens with adusirabl-
pies the contents Of which he pcrsistenty refused
10 dyulee. Al last IL leaked out that the French.
mans pies were made Of poke berries, aud n the
secret spread among the housewives of the town
one after another tried her hand at poke berry pic
but all who ate Of them were made sick. The re-
suit vas that during the remainder Of the season
the Frcnehman had no competition In the poke
berry pie business. his method Of preparing the
fruit being n mystery which none Of the towns
people could unravel.
Lobelia inlata is not poisonous, the learned aud
distinguished DIR. Gray and all other botanisis
who state the contrary, notwithstanding. The
assertion by DT. Gray that 'lcss than n teaspoon
ful Of the seeds powdered leaves Of this plant.
would destroy life in few hours only proves that
the uticrances Of tho most learned are not always
10 he relied upon. The statement in Woods
Bsiany-and which has often appeared in print
in agricultural papers-thAt LobeliR "eauscs sail.
walton in horses in autumn IL no doubt equally
unfounded. Several Of the Lobclias. all Of which
are more or less nauseating, are used In medicine
~ emetics but they are no more poisonous than
pecac. and they do not possess the narcotic prop
critics attributed TO them by some botanical and
medical writers.
The mushrooms are another order Of plants,
some Of which are poisonous, and frequently life
10 sacrificed through the ignorance Of those who
gather them. Some years ago wrote an article
for TnE USioS on the edible mushroom, and gays.
directions for selecting them 80 ~ 20 avoid The
species having poisonous properties. A. the sea
son for them 10 at hand Il might not be amiss to
repeat what was before written, which. II the edi
tors Of Tue CSIoS permit, will do In another
communication. A. W. SwgHxY.