likely to be cost-effective for smoking cessation than varenicline. Recreational Plants containing cytisine, including the scotch broom and mescalbean, have also been used recreationally. Positive effects are reported to include a nicotine-like intoxication. Reagent for organic chemistry (−)-Cytisine extracted from Laburnum anagyroides seeds was used as a starting material for the preparation of "(+)-sparteine surrogate," for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched lithium anions of opposite stereochemistry to those anions obtained from sparteine. Toxicity Cytisine has been found to interfere with breathing and cause death in test mice. ; i.v., in mice is about 2 mg/kg. Cytisine is also teratogenic. Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) can contain amounts of cytisine that are lethal to most animals. The palila (Loxioides bailleui, a bird), Uresiphita polygonalis virescens and Cydia species (moths), and possibly sheep and goats are not affected by the toxin for various reasons, and use māmane, or parts thereof, as food. U. p. virescens caterpillars are possibly able to sequester the cytisine to give themselves protection from getting eaten; they have aposematic coloration which would warn off potential predators. References External links Nicotinic agonists Alkaloids found in Fabaceae Lactams Bridged heterocyclic compounds Teratogens Plant toxins Nitrogen heterocycles Quinolizidine alkaloids