Nature Note: It is the food plant of the caterpillar of the Zebra Swallow Tail butterfly, Eurytides Marcellus. It is poisonous and the butterfly becomes poisonous because the caterpillar feeds on the plant. The fruit is edible and used by Seminole Native Americans to make a tea. The seeds are used as an emetic - they are poisonous which is why ingesting then causes vomiting.

Thought to cause Parkinsonian/Motor neurone disease complex.

Northern America, Eastern Canada

Northern America, North-Central U.S.A.

Northern America, Northeastern U.S.A.

Northern America, South-Central U.S.A.

Northern America, Southeastern U.S.A.