Scientific Name
Eupatorium rugosum
Common Name
White snakeroot, fall poison

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Asteraceae
Plant Description
Perennial herb with opposite, toothed leaves; flowers white, in terminal, rounded clusters.
Origin
USA, NC.
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Forest or natural area in open forests, weedy in disturbed areas along roadsides, edges of woods, fields.
Mode
Ingestion of raw milk from cows feeding on the plant.
Poisonous Part
All parts.
Symptoms
"Milk sickness": weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, delirium, prostration, coma.
Toxic Principle
Tremetone, a ketone.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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