General poisoning notes:

Squirrel-corn (Dicentra canadensis) is a native herb found in rich woodlands in southern Ontario and Quebec. The plant contains alkaloids that are known to be toxic. However, feeding experiments on cattle using the aboveground parts, as well as the entire plant failed, to produce any symptoms other than slight restlessness and uneasiness (Black et al. 1923). See additional notes under general notes of Dicentra cucullaria.

References:

Black, O. F., Eggleston, W. W., Kelly, J. W., Turner, H. C. 1923. Poisonous properties of Bikukulla cucullaria (Dutchman's-breeches) and B. canadensis (squirrel-corn). J. Agric. Res., 23: 69-78.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp.
 

Vernacular name(s): squirrel-corn

Scientific family name: Fumariaceae

Vernacular family name: frumitory

Go to ITIS*^ca for more taxonomic information on: Dicentra canadensis

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Ontario
Quebec
 

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Image or illustration

squirrel-corn:

Images: images.google.com

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

See additional information under general notes of Dicentra cucullaria.

Toxic parts:

leaves
tubers
 

References:

Black, O. F., Eggleston, W. W., Kelly, J. W., Turner, H. C. 1923. Poisonous properties of Bikukulla cucullaria (Dutchman's-breeches) and B. canadensis (squirrel-corn). J. Agric. Res., 23: 69-78.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Aporphine and protopine, which are isoquinoline alkaloids, have been found in Dicentra species. Several other alkaloids have also been found in the plants (Black et al. 1923).

Toxic plant chemicals:

aporphine
protopine
 

References:

Black, O. F., Eggleston, W. W., Kelly, J. W., Turner, H. C. 1923. Poisonous properties of Bikukulla cucullaria (Dutchman's-breeches) and B. canadensis (squirrel-corn). J. Agric. Res., 23: 69-78.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

restlessness
 

References:

Black, O. F., Eggleston, W. W., Kelly, J. W., Turner, H. C. 1923. Poisonous properties of Bikukulla cucullaria (Dutchman's-breeches) and B. canadensis (squirrel-corn). J. Agric. Res., 23: 69-78.