Book Description

S2Pokeweed, a plant abundant in Appalachia, exhibits some chemical similarities to a related species that has shown molluscicidal properties. Because this suggests that pokeweed, Phytolacca americana L. (P. decandra L.), has potential for controlling fresh-water snails, we have compiled this report of its chemical composition, uses, propagation methods, and other potentially useful species of the genus Phytolacca. The related species, Phytolacca dodencandra L'Her, was found to be the source of a molluscicide, which could pIay an important role in control of bilharziasis, a parasitic disease of humans widespread in Puerto Rico, Africa, and other tropical areas (22). Dead snails and small fish were observed in waterways in areas of Ethiopia where people washed their clothes with this Phytolacca's fruit, which is rich in saponins. Some distance downstream and immediately upstream from the washing places, abundant live snails were present, suggesting that the fruit contained a toxin acting as a molluscicide. This was subsequently confirmed by laboratory tests; tap-water extracts of the dried and powdered fruit had an LC100 (lethal concentration) of 10 parts per million against snails (Biomphalaria, Bulinus: and Lymnea spp.) after 24-hour exposure at 23OC. Furthermore, it was shown that molluscicidal potency was not affected by the presence of soil or vegetable matter, an important factor when the molluscicide is used under natural conditions. S3.