Toxicity of Extract from Three Larkspur Species (Delphinium barbeyi, Delphinium glaucescens, Delphinium occidentale) Measured by Rat Bioassay

Abstract

Differences in toxicity among species of larkspur have been suspected but until now no standard method of comparison has been made. A rat bioassay has recently been developed and was used to estimate the toxicity of an extract from three larkspur (Delphinium barbeyi, D. glaucescens, and D. occidentale). Delphinium barbeyi was the most toxic and D. occidentale the least, as measured by this bioassay.