Blue cohosh
General poisoning notes:
Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is a native plant found in rich woods in eastern Canada. The plant contains chemicals that can cause cell damage. Experiments show that handling powdered root can cause irritation of mucous membranes, with possible dermatitis. No case histories of poisoning were found in the literature, but the plant has poisoning potential. Children should not be allowed to eat the attractive blue fruits of this plant (Muenscher 1975, Lampe and McCann 1985). No references were found of poisoning of livestock.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Caulophyllum thalictroides(L.) Michaux
Vernacular name(s): blue cohosh
Scientific family name: Berberidaceae
Vernacular family name: barberry
Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michaux
Geographic Information
Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec.
Notes on Poisonous plant parts:
The berries and roots contain chemicals that are cytotoxic, causing cell damage. The plant is extremely bitter and is not usually ingested by livestock. (Muenscher 1975, Lampe and McCann 1985).
Toxic parts:
Mature fruit, roots
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
An alkaloid and saponins occur in this plant. The chemicals are cytotoxic, damaging animal cells. The plant is reported to have orally active oxytocic substances, which cause uterine contractions (Fergusen and Edwards 1954, Lampe and McCann 1985).
Toxic plant chemicals:
N-methylcytisine
N-methylcytisine
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
Mouth, irritation of
