Schoenocaulon officinale
Schoenocaulon officinale (Schltdl. & Cham.) A.Gray
Schoenocaulon officinale, known as sabadilla, is a toxic flowering plant in the Melanthiaceae family, native to Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela. It contains alkaloids such as veratridine and cevadine. Historically, its seeds were used globally to make delousing solutions and insecticides. Locally, it is still used to treat domestic animals for parasites, with efforts underway to revive its industrial use.
Description
Schoenocaulon officinale is a species in the genus Schoenocaulon, distributed across Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela. The plant is highly toxic and contains alkaloids including veratridine and cevadine. Its seeds have been historically used by pharmacists to prepare insecticides and delousing solutions. The plant is still collected and used in local areas to treat domestic animals for fleas, ticks, lice, and other parasites. Current efforts are being made to reestablish its use in industry.
Distribution
Costa Rica · El Salvador · Honduras · Mexico Central · Mexico Gulf · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest · Nicaragua · Venezuela
Synonyms
Asagraea caracasanaAsagraea officinalisAsagraea sabadillaHelonias officinalisMelanthium sabadillaSabadilla officinarumSabadilla officinalisSkoinolon officinaleVeratrum officinaleVeratrum sabadillaXerophyllum sabadilla