IJSAR, 3(4), 2016; 49-52

International Journal of Sciences & Applied Research

www.ijsar.in

A preliminary survey of poisonous plants in and around Bhadravathi,

B. R. Kiran1* and Nagaraj Parisara2

1 Department of Environmental Science, DDE, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta-577451, Karnataka, . 2Department of Environmental Science, Sahyadri Science College (Autonomous), Shivamogga-577201, Karnataka, India. Correspondence Address: *Dr. B. R. Kiran, Research & Teaching Assistant in Environmental Science, DDE, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta-577451, Karnataka, India. ______Abstract The present paper deals with the preliminary survey of poisonous plants in and around Bhadravathi taluk of Karnataka during 2013-14. A total of 30 plants belonging to 27 genera and 18 families were recorded. The plant species with their families are also reported in this article. Toxic properties of few plants are discussed in this paper.

Keywords: Poisonous plants, Bhadravathi taluk, Karnataka

Introduction animals, including humans, that consume Plants cannot move to escape their such plants may also experience negative predators, so they must have other means of effects, ranging from mild discomfort to protecting themselves from herbivorous death (https://en.wikipedia.org). animals. Some plants have physical defenses No work has been carried out on diversity of such as thorns, spines and prickles, but by poisonous plants occurring in and around far the most common type of protection is Bhadravathi taluk, Karnataka. Hence, the chemical (Keddy,2007). Over millennia, present study has been carried out and it is through the process of natural selection, helpful for further scientific research. plants have evolved the means to produce a vast and complicated array of chemical Materials and methods compounds in order to deter Study area herbivores. Tannin, for example, is a Bhadravathi, is located at 13° 52' N latitude defensive compound that emerged relatively and 75° 40' E longitude. Bhadravati is early in the evolutionary history of plants, situated at a distance of about 20 kilometres while more complex molecules such from the district headquarters . It is as polyacetylenes are found in younger an industrial town of of groups of plants such as the Asterales. Many Karnataka . Bhadravati is at an altitude of of the known plant defense 597 metres (1,959 ft) above sea level. compounds primarily defend against The Bhadra river flows through the city, consumption by insects, though other then flows into the Bhadra Wildlife 49

IJSAR, 3(4), 2016; 49-52 Sanctuary south of the city. The Bhadravati present in many varieties of common bean taluk has a total area of 675.08 square but is especially concentrated in red kidney kilometres (260.65 sq mi), a population of beans. The lectin has a number of effects on 338,611, and a population density of 501.56 cell metabolism; it induces mitosis, and inhabitants per square kilometre affects the cell membrane in regard to (1,299.0/sq mi). The taluk borders five other transport and permeability to proteins. It taluks, the Shimoga taluk to the west, agglutinates most mammalian red blood the Honnali taluk to the north, cell types. Consumption of as few as four or the Channagiri taluk to the east, the five raw kidney beans may be sufficient to taluk to the south-east, and trigger symptoms, which include nausea, the Narasimharajapura taluk to the south- vomiting, and diarrhea. Onset is from 1 to 3 west (Census of India 2001; hours after consumption of improperly en.wikipedia.org ). prepared beans, and symptoms typically resolve within a few hours ("Foodborne Collection of data Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Field explorations was conducted during Toxins Handbook: Phytohaemagglutinin". 2013-14 to know the variety of Poisonous Bad Bug Book. United States Food and Drug plants occurring in Bhadravathi taluk of Administration. July 2009. Karnataka .The study was based on (https://en.wikipedia.org). extensive and intensive field surveys Citrus fruits are known to contain aromatic undertaken in and around Bhadravathi area oils and compounds of Psoralen which is i.e. Singanamane, Kudreshed, Shanti toxic to dogs, cats, and some animals. The Nagara, Shankaraghatta, Malenahalli, acid is found all over the entire plant. Nellisera, Tavaraghatta, Gonibeedu, Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, H.K.Junction and Bommanakatte during the depression and photosensitivity. period February 2013- January 2014. The Mangifera indica peel and sap plant specimens have been studied and contain urushiol, the allergen in poison ivy identified by using floras ( Sharma et al. and poison sumac that can cause urushiol- 1984, 1988; Saldanha 1984, 1996; Kirtikar, induced contact dermatitis in susceptible 2003; Lewis Nelson et al., 2007; people. Cross-reactions between mango Pillay,2010; Caius,2012; Bhattacharjee and contact allergens and urushiol have been Sushmita Bhattacharjee ,2013), besides observed. Those with a history of poison ivy other new monographs and books. or poison oak contact dermatitis may be most at risk for such an allergic reaction. Results and discussion Urushiol is also present in mango leaves and Table 1 depicted list of poisonous plants of stems. During mango's primary ripening Bhadravathi taluk. In this study 30 season, it is the most common source of poisonous plants belonging to 27 genera and plant dermatitis. Many members of 18 families were recorded. Figure 1 shows the Allium genus contain thiosulphate, which the number of poisonous plants in each in high doses is toxic to dogs, cats and some family. types of livestock. Cats are more sensitive The plants toxic to pet animals include to Allium (https://en.wikipedia.org). Ricinus communis, Jatropha curcas, Solanum tuberosum contain toxic Lantana camera, Chrysanthemum, Nerium compounds known as glycoalkaloids, of oleander,Cascabela thevetia and Solanum which the most prevalent tuberosum. are solanine and chaconine. The In Phaseolus vulgaris, the toxic concentration of glycoalkaloid in wild compound phytohaemagglutinin, a lectin, is potatoes is sufficient to produce toxic effects 50

IJSAR, 3(4), 2016; 49-52 in humans. The toxin affects the nervous system, causing headaches, diarrhea and intense digestive disturbances, cramps, weakness and confusion, and in severe cases coma and death. Poisoning from cultivated potatoes occurs very rarely, however, as toxic compounds in the potato plant are generally concentrated in the green portions of the plant and in the fruits, and cultivated varieties contain smaller concentrations than wild plants ("Tomato- Fig. 1: Each family with number of like Fruit on Potato Plants". Iowa State poisonous plants. University, 2009; Glycoalkaloid and calystegine contents of eight potato Solanum lycopersicum like many other cultivars, 2003). members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), tomato leaves and stems Table 1: Poisonous plants of Bhadravathi contain solanine that is toxic if ingested, taluk, Karnataka. causing digestive upset and nervous Sl. excitement. In Solanum nigrum- all parts of Scientific Name Family No. the plant except the ripe fruit contain the 1. Areca catechu Arecaceae toxic glycoalkaloid solanine. Solanine 2. Asparagus sp. Asparagaceae poisoning is primarily displayed by 3. Agave sp. Asparagaceae gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. 4. Allium sp. Amaryllidaceae 5. Argemone mexicana Papaveraceae Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, 6. Aloe sp. Xanthorrhoeaceae vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the 7. Bougainvillea sp Nyctaginaceae throat, cardiac dysrhythmia, headache and 8. Colocasia esculenta Araceae dizziness. In more severe cases, 9. Catharanthus roseus Apocynaceae hallucinations, loss of sensation, 10. Calotropis procera Apocynaceae paralysis, fever, jaundice, dilated pupils 11. Cascabela thevetia Apocynaceae and hypothermia can result. In large 12. Citrus sp. Rutaceae 13. Datura metel Solanaceae quantities, solanine poisoning can be fatal 14. Datura stramonium Solanaceae (https://en.wikipedia.org ). 15. Dieffenbachia sp. Araceae Ricinus communis seeds contain ricin, an 16. Eucalyptus sp. Myrtaceae extremely toxic and water-soluble ribosome- 17. Euphorbia sp. Euphorbiaceae inactivating protein; it is also present in 18. Eupatorium odoratum Asteraceae lower concentrations in other parts of the 19. Ipomea carnea Convolvulaceae plant. Also present are ricinine, an alkaloid, 20. Jatropha curcas Euphorbiaceae 21. Jasminum officinale Oleaceae and an irritant oil (https://en.wikipedia.org). 22. Lantana camera Verbenaceae Nerium oleander parts are toxic, the leaves 23. Millettia pinnata Fabaceae and woody stems in particular. Contains 24. Mangifera indica Anacardiaceae nerioside, oleandroside,saponins and cardiac 25. Nerium oleander Apocynaceae glycosides. Causes severe digestive upset, Parthenium Asteraceae 26. heart trouble and contact dermatitis. The hysterophorus 27. Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae smoke of burning oleander can cause 28. Solanum nigrum Solanaceae reactions in the lungs, and can be fatal. 29. Solanum tuberosum Solanaceae Datura species containing the tropane 30. Solanum lycopersicum Solanaceae alkaloids scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, all parts of these plants are 51

IJSAR, 3(4), 2016; 49-52 poisonous, especially the seeds and flowers. Consequences. Cambridge University Ingestion causes abnormal thirst, Press, Cambridge, UK. 666 p. Chapter hyperthermia, severe delirium and 7. incoherence, visual distortions, bizarre and 8. Kirtikar, K.R. 2003.The poisonous possibly violent behavior, memory loss, plants of Bombay. Scientific publishers, coma, and often death Jodhpur. (https://en.wikipedia.org). 9. Lewis S Nelson, Richard D Shih and Michael J.Balick. 2007. Handbook of References poisonous and injurious plants. Springer 1. Bhattacharjee, S.K and Sushmita Verlag U S. CBS Publishers, New Bhattacharjee.2013. Poisonous plants- Delhi. their botany, properties and uses. 10. Pillay, V.V.2010. Common Indian Pointer publishers, Jaipur. poisonous plants. 5 th Edition. Oxford 2. Caius, J.F.2012. The medicinal and University Press. poisonous plants of India. Scientific 11. Saldanha, C.J. 1984. Flora of publishers, Jodhpur. Karnataka, vol. 1. New Delhi: Oxford 3. Census of India 2001: Data from the and IBH. 535 p. 2001 Census, including cities, villages 12. Saldanha, C.J. 1996. Flora of and towns (Provisional)". Census Karnataka, vols. 2. New Delhi: Oxford Commission of India. Archived and IBH. 304 p. from the original on 2004-06-16. 13. Sharma, B.D., N.P. Singh, R. Retrieved 2008-11-01. Sundararaghavan and U.R. Deshpande. 4. "Foodborne Pathogenic 1984. Flora of Karnataka Analysis. Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Calcutta: Botanical Survey of India. 395 Handbook: Phytohaemagglutinin". Bad p. Bug Book. United States Food and 14. Sharma, B.D., S. Karthikeyan, S.K. Drug Administration. Retrieved11 Mudaliar, B.G. Kulkarni and S. July 2009. Moorthy. 1987 (1988). Additions to the 5. Glycoalkaloid and calystegine contents Flora of Karnataka Analysis. Journal of of eight potato cultivars. J-Agric-Food- Economic and Taxonomic Botany 11: Chem. 2003 May 7; 51(10): 2964–73. 51-55. 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_po 15. "Tomato-like Fruit on Potato isonous_plants. Plants". Iowa State University. 7. Keddy, P.A. 2007. Plants and Retrieved 8 January 2009. Vegetation: Origins, Processes,

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