3. The Alkaloids of Senecio latifolius,

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 42, 1909, Page 89

3. The Alkaloids of Senecio latifolius, by Henry Edgar Watt. (Journ. Chem. Soc., xcv; Mar., 1909.) [Various species of the genus Senecio (fam. Compositœ) have been proved to cause in stock the disease hepatic cirrhosis. In Cape Colony, to S. Burchelli is attributed “Molteno disease”; in Nova Scotia “Pictou disease,” and in New Zealand “Winton disease,” have definitely been proved to be caused by S. Jacobea, the “ragwort” or “staggerwort”; and even in England, as its trivial name would seem to imply, the plant has been suspected of causing staggers in horses (see Gilruth, Vet. Reports, N.Z. Dept. of Agric., –6). Senecio latifolius, from Cape Colony, having fallen under suspicion, it has been examined by Dr. Watt. This species occurs in New Zealand, and the statement that it is poisonous adds another toxic plant to the flora.—B. C. A.] Two new alkaloids are described: Senecifoline, C18H27O8N, is dextro-rotatory ([a]d + 28°8′), darkens at 190°, melts at –5°, forms a nitrate, a hydrochloride, a hydriodide, and an aurichloride; does not contain methoxy or phenolic hydroxyl groups; is completely hydrolysed by alkali, with formation of senecifolic acid, C10H16O6, probably a monocyclic dihydroxydicarboxylic acid, and a base senecifolinine, which was only isolated as the hydrochloride C8H11O2N.HCl. Senecifolidine, C18H25O7N, is lævo-rotatory ([a]d - 13° 56′), darkens at 200°, melts at 212°, and forms a nitrate, a hydrochloride, and an aurichloride. B. C. A.