The geographical variation in the molluscicidal potency of Phytolacca dodecandra (Endod) berries in Zimbabwe

Searches for Phytolacca dodecandra were conducted throughout the country in order to determine the natural distribution of the plant molluscicide and to identify the plants that produce the most toxic berries. Berries were collected from a total of 74 plants and bioassays performed against Bulinus globosus. The berries collected from eight plants were found to be lethal to 50% or more of the snails and the most toxic berries were those collected from plants found growing in the drier and hotter parts of the country. The results suggest that the toxicity of the berries depend on the geographical features of the place from which these are collected.