The Herbarium at the University of Georgia Poisonous Plants of Georgia
The Herbarium of the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
White Snakeroot Eupatorium rugosum Houttuyn.
Family:
 Asteraceae
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This plant may be poisonous to both humans and animals. Please refer to the "Symptoms" section below for information regarding susceptiblity of animal species to poisoning.
Description:
 White snakeroot is a perennial herb with single stems. The leaves are up to 6 ½ in long and up to 4 ½ in wide, opposite, with toothed edges, widely oval, and have hairs on their undersides. The flowers are clustered and usually appear white. The fruit is a small nut.
Toxic Part: The entire plant is toxic to animals that graze on it.
Toxin: Tremetone, a benzofuran, is the toxic compound found in white snakeroot.
Symptoms: In animals, such as cattle, white snakeroot causes "trembles". Trembles are characterized by difficulty swallowing, sweating, muscular tremors, listlessness, weakness, and an acetone breath odor. In humans, the disease is termed "milk sickness". The symptoms are similar to those seen in animals and include weakness, nausea, thirst, constipation, and an acetone breath odor. They are caused by acidosis or ketosis. Afflicted persons develop a buildup of lactic acid in muscle tissue. Usually lactic acid is transported to the liver where it is converted to glycogen and stored or transported back to the muscles. The toxin in white snakeroot is believed to somehow interfere with this conversion resulting in lactic acid buildup in the liver. Additionally, this lack of conversion results in a build up of acetone in the blood which is excreted in the urine and expired in the breath
Treatment: Treatments include parenteral administration of sodium lactate, glucose, and hypotonic Ringer's solution.
References: 12, 13, 14, 33, 44, 84
This site is NOT a substitute for the advice of medical physician. Plant poisonings can, in certain cases, result in SERIOUS HARM AND EVEN DEATH. Please contact a physician or your local poison control center if you suspect any plant poisoning. A link to the Georgia Poison Control Center can be found on the "References and Links" page of this site.