Lupine alkaloid of the quinolizidine type; occurring most abundantly in Leguminosae. Bioactive principle of blue cohosh, q.v. Isoln from Caulophyllum thalictroides Michx., Berberidaceae: F. B. Power, A. H. Salway, J. Chem. Soc. 103, 191 (1913); M. S. Flom et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 56, 1515 (1967); from Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br., Leguminosae: L. Marion, J. Ouellet, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 70, 691 (1948). Absolute configuration: S. Okuda et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 13, 491 (1965). Crystal structure: A. A. Freer et al., Acta Crystallogr. C43, 1119 (1987). Pharmacology: H. C. Ferguson, L. D. Edwards, J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. Sci. Ed. 43, 16 (1954). Toxicity study: R. B. Barlow, L. J. McLeod, Br. J. Pharmacol. 35, 161 (1969). Binding to nicotinic and muscarinic receptors: T. Schmeller et al., J. Nat. Prod. 57, 1316 (1994).