Quaker buttons

I can find absolutely no reason why the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica, the strychnine tree, are also known as quaker buttons. I can only surmise the symptoms of strychnine poisoning reminded someone of the shaking and dancing of the early Quakers.

The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, began in mid 17th-century England.  They traditionally wore plain dress; "Ruffles and lace and other forms of ornamentation, as well as unnecessary cuffs and collars and lapels and buttons, were forbidden."*

A group broke off from the Quakers in 1747 when the Quakers began weaning themselves away from frenetic spiritual expression. The Wardley Society became known as the "Shaking Quakers" because of their ecstatic behavior during worship services. Eventually they became known as Shakers, and there are only two known Shakers left in the United States.

Oh, and the strychnine tree is in the family Loganiaceae.

*Thomas D. Hamm, The Quakers in America.

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