Abstract
The milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae) comprises some 200 genera and 2500 species of perennial shrubs, herbs and vines distributed throughout the tropics and extending to temperate areas of the world. They include some highly prized ornamentals and economically significant weeds, and are generally characterized to the layman by the milky latex they exude when a leaf or other organ is ruptured. Chemical interest in the milkweeds has been stimulated by the use of some plants in medicinal preparations to treat cancers, tumors, and warts (Refs. in 54), as emetics, to treat bronchitis (Refs. in 64), and as a source of digitalislike therapeutic agents (Refs. in 44). They are also known for their poisonous nature, which has found advantageous use in the preparation of arrow poisons, and also causes occasional but extensive poisoning episodes among grazing sheep and cattle in milkweed-infested rangelands52,58.
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Roeske, C.N., Seiber, J.N., Brower, L.P., Moffitt, C.M. (1976). Milkweed Cardenolides and Their Comparative Processing by Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus L.). In: Wallace, J.W., Mansell, R.L. (eds) Biochemical Interaction Between Plants and Insects. Recent Advances in Phytochemistry, vol 10. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2646-5_3
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