The Basic Components of the Cuckoopint (Arum maculatum L.)

The previously existing uncertainty in regard to the presence of bases in the cuckoopint plant could be cleared up by careful preparation of larger amounts of fresh leaves and the application of micromethods. In connection with the unpleasantly smelling fraction of the volatile bases, the authors found they were dealing with a mixture of little nicotine and 3 primary amines. Even though the amount of nicotine found was very small, the result seemed interesting since this was the first instance in which nicotine was detected in a plant of the genus of the monocotyledons. Since none of the basic fractions showed an acid tasting reaction, the authors concerned themselves with this problem.