Karwinskia humboldtiana

Karwinskia humboldtiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Karwinskia
Species:
K. humboldtiana
Binomial name
Karwinskia humboldtiana
Synonyms

Rhamnus humboldtiana Schult.

Karwinskia humboldtiana, commonly known as coyotillo, cacachila or Humboldt coyotillo, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the family Rhamnaceae. It is native to southern and western Texas in the United States as well as much of Mexico. The seeds and leaves of this plant contain the quinones eleutherin and 7-methoxyeleutherin and chrysophanol and β-amyrin in the fruits that are toxic to humans and livestock.

The toxins typically induce an ascending paralysis, which is often followed by death. However, it often takes days or even weeks after consumption for the symptoms to manifest. Symptoms are similar to those of Guillain-Barré syndrome.