Synonym: inkberry, Jerusalem artichoke, skoke, garget, pigeonberry
Plant species: Phytolacca Americana, Phytolacca decandra, others
Toxin: saponin triterpenoid glycoproteins, phytolaccine, phytolascotoxin
Action: mitogenic, immediate toxicity
Toxic parts: roots, shoots, berries, leaves.
Symptoms of intoxication:
(1) burning mouth
(2) nausea and vomiting
(3) abdominal pain
(4) diarrhea, which may be bloody
(5) hypotension
(6) headache
(7) impaired vision
(8) seizures
(9) cardiac arrhythmias
Severe intoxication may show:
(1) respiratory depression
(2) coma
(3) death
Rinsing the plant twice in boiling water can reduce symptoms of intoxication, but it may still retain its mitogenic activity.
