Scientific Name Menispermum canadense Common Name Canada moonseed

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics Family Menispermaceae Plant Description Woody, deciduous, twining vine without tendrils; leaves alternate, simple, long-stalked, palmately lobed with shallow, rounded lobes; flowers greenish white in small, axillary clusters; fruit a drupe, blue or bluish black, appearing in grapelike clusters, but each with a single seed. Origin USA, NC Distribution Throughout. Where Found Forest or natural areas, in moist woods. Mode Ingestion. Poisonous Part All parts. Symptoms Convulsions; may be fatal. Toxic Principle Alkaloid dauricine Severity HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Poisonous Plants of North Carolina, Alice B. Russell Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Department of Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Department of Plant Pathology, and Dr. Angela Fraser, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University. Designed by Miguel A. Buendia.

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 your physician or local poison control center. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell.