Observations on the Poisonous Plants of Michigan

Abstract

This study is the result of a careful investigation of the flora of Michigan with a view to determine which of the poisonous plants listed in other states were found growing in this state. Michigan is not primarily a grazing state, so that the question of poisonous plants is not so vital as in some of the western states like Montana and Utah, but, nevertheless, there is evident a need for more information on the subject than is now available. I have included in this paper a list of the poisonous plants of the state, accompanied by a few notes on their distribution and poisonous nature where such information is available.Not having included algae and fungi in the list of species, it might be well to mention the more important ones in this introductory note. Among the fungi the genus Amanita is by far the most poisonous of any of the umbrella type of mushrooms and should be avoided by people when collecting edible fungi. The spores of Aspergillus when inhaled produce a general mycosis in the lungs of animals. Ergot, the sclerotium stage of Claoiceps purpurea, produces a poisonous effect on animals; in severe cases causing a loss of the extremities of the limbs, tail, and ears. Numerous cases of suspected poisoning from moldy silage have come to the author's attention, but no exact information is available as to the particular fungus causing the poisoned condition.The algae as a group contain few poisonous species.' Although algae may give water an objectionable appearance or odor, they rarely render it poisonous either to stock or to human beings. Furthermore, it is not at all probable that even decaying algae injure the water to the extent of making it poisonous. However, on account of the objectionable odor that the decomposing algae impart to water, and on account of their tendency to clog drain pipes, it is often highly desirable to get rid of them. Many algae are quite easily prevented from growing in water by treatment with copper sulfate at the rate of one part of sulfate to one million parts of water. The small quantities of this. salt that go into solution are harmful to the algae but d~not injure livestock or human beings.

Changes in Hardwood Forest Understory Plant Communities in Response to European Earthworm Invasions

“…Arisaema triphyllum (jack in the pulpit) and Allium tricoccum (wild leeks) were positively associated with increasing earthworm biomass and both contain toxic compounds that may inhibit grazing in the rhizosphere by earthworms. Arisaema triphyllum contains oxalic acids, and the roots are reported to be the most toxic part of the plant (Black 1918, Woodcock 1925. Allium tricoccum contains large amounts of thiosulfinates and other sulfur compounds that have been shown to be toxic to insects, and they may also be toxic to earthworms (Calvey et al 1998, Dugravot et al 2004.…”