A shrub like annual herb with reddish-purple stems, large leaves, alternate, simple, round in outline but deeply and palmately 6-11 lobed. The flowers are small and whitish and the fruit are large, red, prickly capsules with slightly flattened seeds that are a mottled brown-gray-white colour. It originates from Aisa and Africa and is found in cultivated lands
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The Broken seeds are the poisonous part containing Ricin, a phytotoxalbumin, plus ricinine, an alkaloid. Symptoms include immediate or delayed nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, depression, trembling, sweating, convulsions, coma; may be fatal. Severe allergic reaction in certain individuals following skin contact with broken seeds.
GREATER CELANDINE (Chelidonium majus)
An erect branched plant that reaches a height of about 60 centimetres. It has smmoth, slightly hairy stems and is found growing mainly along banks and hedgerows. It was traditionally used in the external treatment of warts, and internally for liver, lung, gastro intestinal problems and rheumatism. Celandine poppy and wart wort are other common names for this plant
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This plant contains many toxic alkaloids including chelidonine. The symptoms of poisoning include excessive salivation and urination, thirst, drowsiness, cessation of bowel movement and a staggering gait. Post-mortoms finding may include gastro intestinal irritation. Having a feotid smell and an acid taste, the plant is quite unattractive, and very few cases have been reported.
CHARLOCK (Sinapis arvensis)
An annual weed found on land fit for ploughing, prefers calcareous and heavy soils. Charlock is not so common today due to the use of control with selective weedkillers. It has bright yellow flowers which are present for a majority of the summer, and the seeds are able to lay dormant in the ground for a number of years. The plants seeds have been used in herbal medicine for digestive problems.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The seeds are highly poisonous containing a volatile mustard oilm allyl isothiocyanate. Symptoms of poisoning include acute gastroenteritis, frothing of the mouth, diarrhoea and grunting. Large amounts can cause bloat, breathing difficulty, a shuffling gait and bulging eyes. Death is caused within 1 - 2 hours by suffocation. Reported cases of poisoning in horses have been reported.
CHICKWEED(Stellaria media)
One of the most common worldwide weed distribution. Found in gardens, paddocks, waste ground, etc. It is used in homoeopathy for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and bronchitis.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Chickweed contains saponins whcih cause digestive upsets and diarrhoea. It has only rarely been associated with poisoning. The only time it is likely to be ingested in quantity is in times of severe grass shortage.
CHIVES(Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives have escaped cultivation and have been naturalized, but the plants are not abundant.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The leaves are the poisonous part of this plant. Symptoms of poisoning include HEMOGLOBINURIA: (The presence of free hemoglobin in the urine) and ICTERUS: (Yellowish pigmentation of the skin and tissues resulting from deposition of bile pigments, which follows interference of normal production and discharge of bile).
COLUMBINE(Aquilegia vulgaris)
A perennial plant that reaches a height of 30 - 60 centimetres. Native of Britain, it prefers chalk soils and is mainly found on shady slopes in forests. Columbine is found only locally in Britain, although many other hybrids and species are cultivated in gardens.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Columbine contains toxic alkaloids which in theory can cause suffocation and respiratory failure. There have yet to be any reported cases of poisoning, so it is really unknown just what damage this weed can do to a horse.
COMMON CATSEAR (Hypochaeris radicata L.)
A perennial plant with basal rosettes of leaves. The leaves are rough-hairy and lobed, or wavy-margined. The hollow, sparsely branched flowering stems contain a white, milky juice, and are 0.75 to two feet tall. The yellow flowers occur in heads that are one to 1.5 inches in diameter. The fruits are long-beaked and tipped by a circle of plume-like bristles. A serious weed found in lawns, pastures, and waste areas.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This plant is reportedly poisonous and believed to be the cause of Australian Stringhalt in horses. Stringhalt is a disease that results in an exaggerated flexion of one or both hind legs. Some horses may show only mild signs with slight flexion seen when the horse is backed or stopped suddenly. In other cases the flexion can be so severe that the front of the fetlock may hit the belly. If both back legs are affected a bunny hopping type of gait may develop. There can often be wasting of muscles around the gaskin. The condition affects the long nerves of the back which can also result in the larynx being partially paralysed. In these cases the horse cannot vocalise properly resulting in 'roaring'.
COMMON COCKLEBUR (Xanthium strumarium)
This annual weed is extremely troublesome in agronomic crops and it is especially common on rich, moist soils. The plant is rough in appearance, branched, hairy to nearly smooth, with irregular mottled stems. The mature plant is about one foot to two feet in height. The thick, rough leaves are alternate, broadly ovate to triangular, with long petioles. Flowers are relatively inconspicuous, on short axillary branches. The fruit is a bur with strong, hooked spines and two sharp-pointed beaks.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The seeds are toxic but they are rarely eaten because of the burs, which are too spiny to ingest. The tender, juicy cotyledons, which are long and narrow, contain carboxyatractyloside, which affects the nervous system. Symptoms of poisoning include anorexia, depression, and weakened heartbeat.
COMMON GROUNDSEL (Asclepias syriaca)
a naturalized herb that reaches a height of one foot to three feet, found in paddocks and waste places. There are eight different species of groundesl. The stem is succulent, smooth, and hollow, and it branches at the top to support flowers. Leaves are alternate, deeply divided, with wide, round-toothed lobes. Basal and lower leaves are up to eight-inches long; upper leaves are smaller but similar in shape. Bright lemon-yellow flowers, up to one inch in diameter, are borne in clusters Humans use this plant in teas and herbal remedies in some parts of the world.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
All parts of this plant are toxic. It contains the poisonous chemical senecionine which is a a pyrrolizidine alkaloid. The highest concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is found in the flowers and the lowest in the roots. The amount of toxin increases in the leaves, reaching a maximum just before flower maturity. Obvious signs of poisoning often do not appear until liver damage is severe. Early symptoms include anorexia and depression and are followed by incoordination, diarrhea, presence of hemoglobin in the urine, cirrhosis of the liver, and death.
COMMON MILKWEED (Asclepias syriaca)
An erect perennial that reproduces by creeping roots and seeds. Stems, reaching three to six feet in height, are unbranched and covered with short downy hairs. The leaves are oblong, three- to eight-inches long, with a rounded to tapered leaf tip and base. Leaves are opposite and are attached directly to the stem. The underside of the leaves are covered with fine velvet-like hairs. The upper surface, which can be hairless or hairy, shows a prominent white midrib. The secondary veins off the midrib resemble the rungs of a ladder. Flowers are borne in a large ball-like cluster and are sweet-smelling, pink-lavender in color, and bloom from June to August. The gray, rough, spiny pods are three- to five-inches long, one-inch wide, and split on one side. The seeds inside of the pod are brown, flat, and oval. They resemble an enclosed horseshoe with an attached downy pappus (silky structure similar to that of dandelion). This weed prefers warm, dry soils with full sunlight. Livestock generally avoid this plant unless other forage is unavailable.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The whole weeds, whether green or dry is poisonous to horses. It contains the toxic principles steroid glycosides and toxic resinous. The symptoms of poisoning include dizziness, loss of muscular control, violent spasms, rapid and weak pulse, respiratory paralysis, and at occassionaly death, though death is extremely rare.
COMMON POKEWEED (Phytolacca americana)
a simple, erect, herbaceous perennial that sometimes resembles a small tree, growing up to 10 feet in height, that emerges each year from a large taproot or from seeds. The base of the pokeweed stem is typically deep red-purple in color. The smooth, hairless, hollow, fleshy stem can attain diameters of four inches. The large elliptical leaves range from 12- to 20-inches long. They are about a third as wide as they are long. The leaves are alternate on the stem and are hairless. Flowers are in dense, drooping clusters with white-green petals.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The thick, woody roots of pokeweed are the most poisonous part of the plant and account for most livestock poisonings. The fruit of pokeweed is the least toxic part of the plant. The toxic compound is an alkaloid called phytolaccotoxin and horses can be poisoned by eating the fresh leaves or greed fodder. Symptoms of poisoning include include burning sensations in the mouth, gastrointestinal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pokeweed is a plant that will cause severe poisoning and is one that livestock will not avoid eating.
CORNCOCKLE(Agrostemma githago)
An annual plant that reaches a height of 30 - 100 centimetres. It is a common weed in ceareal crops. The leaves are covered in white hairs that give the plant a greyish appearance and the sigle flowers are pink.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This plant contains colloidal glycosides which contain the properties of saponin. Symptoms of poisoning include salivation, gastro-intestinal disturbance and paralysis. A frothy diarrhoea has been observed. Saponin - containing plants have a bitter taste and are not often eaten, but there have been reports of poisoning in horses.
COWBANE (Cicute virosa)
An erect perennial plant that reachs a height of 30 - 130 centimetres. It prefers damp locations such as shallow waters, ditches and marshes.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The roots contain a concerntrated higher alcohol known as cicutoxin, which is a convulsive poison. Small quantities are enough to kill a horse. Symptoms include salivation, dilated pupils, spasmodic convulsions and abdominal pains. There is not usually any diarrhoea. The leaves and stems of this plant are also toxic, but to a lesser degree than its roots. The greatest risk of poisoning is when the roots are exposed after ditching.
CUCKOO PINT (Arum maculatum)
This plant loves shady places like forests and along hedge banks, and is quite a persistant weed in some gardens. It is also called 'Lords and Ladies' which is related particularly to the fruitage stage. Another common name is Arum Lily.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The juice of this weed is an acute irritant when applied to the skin or ingested. The nature of the toxic principle isn't exactly certain, but it is believed to be saponin, which is present in all parts of the weed. Symptoms include salivation, swelling of the neck, incoordination followed by the horse collapsing and then death. Due to the horrible taste poisoning is very rare. Arum poisoning was suspected in seven seperate cases in horses in Britain over a period of 5 years. All seven horses were pregnant mares and all of them aborted, ith five or the mares dying.
CUT-LEAVED CONEFLOWER (Rudbeckia laciniata)
A double-flowered form is used as an ornamental in flower beds and is usually called golden glow. Animals generally refuse to eat the unpalatable plants, therefore animal poisoning by this plant should be considered unlikely.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
flowers, leaves and stems are the toxic parts, though they don't affect most animals in any way. the poisonous chemicals are unknown. There are no reported symptoms of poisoning in horses.
DARNEL(Lolium temulentum)
An erect annual grass which reaches a height of around 1 metre. This is the only British grass which is potentually harmful and although it used to be a quite common weed in cereal crops, it is now extremely rare. There have been many accounts from ancient times of both animals and people being poisoned from eating food made with flour contaminated with darnel seeds.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Even though its poisonous princliples aren't clear, it is believed to be associated with alkaloids. Fungi, either in or on the leaves, have also been linked with various toxins. Symptoms of alkaloid poisoning will include - excessive (or lack of) salivation, dilation of the pupils, abdominal pains, diarrhoea, incoordination and liver disfunction. Studies of Darnel poisoning have produced inconsistant conclusions as in some instances contaminated food has had no ill effects on horses.
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE (Atropa belladonna)
This smooth, slightly hairy perannial weed reaches to a height of about 1.5metres. It loves calcareous soils. It is mainly found in forests, or on waste lands and stoney grounds. The weed is rich in alkaloids and can be used medicinally to reduce spasms in the gut wall and for some conditions of the urinary tract. It can also be used in reducing salivation and perspiration. A few drops into your eye will dilate the pupil which facilitates examination.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This weed containa a variety of alkaloids, and just as its name suggests, it is highly poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning include dilated pupils, an inflamed mucus membrane, nervous excitement and an inability to stand. Due to its unpleasant taste it is rarely eaten by horses.
DEATH CAMAS (Zigadenus venenosus)
A native perennial herb that is found from British Columbia to southwestern Saskatchewan. The plant is one of the most toxic springtime plants.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The whole plant is toxic fromt he highest leaf to the lowest root. Steroidal alkaloids, including zygacine, have been found in these plants. Death camas is considered to be the most toxic members of the genus Zigadenus. The main symptom to show your horse has been poisoned by this plant is death, hense the word DEATH in the name.
DEATH CAP (Amanita phalloides )
NO MUSHROOM is worthier of fear than the terribly poisonous Death Cap. This single, widespread species of mushroom is solely responsible for the majority of fatal and otherwise serious mushroom poisoning cases worldwide. Indeed, one might argue that the Death Cap's notorious, relatively frequent victimization of Homo sapiens is far and away the best explanation (or rationalization) for the widespread fear of edible wild mushrooms. They are found singly or in numbers under hardwoods and conifers from the spring through the fall.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The whole mushroom is highly toxic containing amanitine and phalloidine (complex polypeptides). The toxins amanitin and amanin are also present and they are highly toxic. There is a 10-hour lag period (6-15 hours) before onset of conditions. Symptoms of poisoning include sudden, severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Blood, mucus, and undigested food are present in vomitus and stool. Thirst, anuria, prostration. and restlessness are also present. If quantities of mushrooms are consumed death can occur within 2 days.
DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES (Dicentra cucullaria)
These delicate perennials with finely-cut, fern-like leaves bear 1 to 10 showy flowers on slender stalks. The 4 to 10 creamy white flowers of Dutchman's breeches have spurs like bloomer legs. The white-flowered squirrel corn and pink-flowered bleeding heart plants bear heart-shaped petals with teardrop-shaped appendages at the bottom. Small, yellow, pea-like tubers are scattered along the underground stem of squirrelcorn. The wild staggerweeds are common spring wildflowers in established woodlands.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This plant is one of the first to grow in the spring. It is considered to be unpalatable, but may be consumed if no other forages are available. The plant contains isoquinoline alkaloids, such as apomorphine, protoberberine, and protopine. Debate exists over whether the plants cause immediate signs, or if the plant needs to be consumed over several days before signs develop. Clinical signs begin with salivation and difficulty in breathing. Later, colic (abdominal pain) and possibly diarrhea may be noted. The animals may run with held up high, become uncoordinated, and may collapse and exhibit convulsions. Some have reported a loss of milk production in affected animals. Other disorders resembling Dicentra poisoning may also occur in the spring, making a diagnosis difficult. Death with Dicentra poisoning is rare, and animals tend to recover on their own in a few hours after they are removed from the plant. A plant called Corydalis (fitweed) will cause similar signs in animals (similar toxic component).
ENGLISH IVY (Hedera helix)
Ivy is one of the most commonly grown ground covers in the world. It is also widely used as a climber to cover walls, fences and trellises. As a ground cover it is invaluable because of it's ability to help discourage soil erosion. As the ivy vine grows, it sets roots into the soil very deeply and densely, and will create a network of roots which knit the soil, thus helping to prevent erosion and slippage on slopes. Ivy will climb almost any vertical surface, clinging by means of aerial roots. Once established they will rapidly cover any wall or fence with lush green foliage.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The black berries and leaves of English ivy are poisonous if consumed in quantlty. They contain hederin, a glycoside of the steroidal saponin hederagenin. Symptoms of poisoning include excessive salivation, nausea, excitement, difficulty in breathing, severe diarrhea, thirst, and coma. It is also a purgative that produces local irritation.
ERGOT (Claviceps purpurea)
A fungus parasite of the heads of grasses. In mid- to late-summer, entire grains are replaced by the black, hardened bodies of the fungus. Each body is up to 1 inch long, larger than the normal grain, and protrudes conspicuously from the head. One to a half dozen ergot bodies may develop on one head of grass. Ergots on wheat are straight. On rye they usually are curved. Ergot is found wherever its host plants grow. Rye is the most frequently attacked grain. Other grain, hay, turf, and weedy grasses may be affected, including wheat, oats, wild rice, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, redtop, smooth brome, orchardgrass, quackgrass, reed canarygrass, etc. When grain or hay is harvested, ergot bodies may fall to the ground and be left behind to infect the next season's crop.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The amines and the alkaloids in ergot (ergotamine being one of the major alkaloids) produce a number of clinical signs relating primarily to vasoconstriction and psychoactive effects. The ergot toxins are very similar structurally to lysergic acid (LSD). Wheat and rye contaminated with ergot has affected humans, and the resulting disorder is called St. Anthony's Fire. It is also believed that the one of the reasons for the Salem witch trials was due to the abnormal behavior of persons affected with ergot toxicosis from contaminated rye flour. Ergot has been used in herbal medicine to control hemorrhage during childbirth, and is used currently as a drug to help control migraines. The fungal bodies in the seed heads of grains and grasses. Animals may be affected by ergot from eating small amounts over a long period of time, or eating greater quantities in a short period of time. Chronic toxicity is more common, with signs manifesting within several weeks of ergot consumption, and field exposure to ergot is more common than processed feed or flour exposure. The clinical signs can vary, but often begins with swelling of and pain in the extremities, especially the hind legs, due to the constriction of blood vessels. Later, sensation is lost in the affected areas, and dry gangrene can develop. Eventually, the affected areas may slough ("fall off"), with typical losses including claws, hooves, teats, ears, or tail. In addition to the vascular effects, neurologic signs are often seen, such as apprehension, nervousness, and convulsions. Some animals may show signs of depression. Death can occur, but only with significant quantities ingested. In sublethal cases, once the source of ergot is removed, recovery from neurologic signs is likely, but recovery from the vascular effects and gangrene is not likely. Ergot poisoning has been implicated in cases of abortion in large animals.
FIDDLENECK (Amsinckia intermedia)
Fiddleneck is an introduced plant found in parts of western Canada. With the advent of herbicides this weed isn't so common today.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The pyrrolizidine alkaloids of fiddleneck cause hepatic cirrhosis horses, mainly a result of the presence of the seeds (the poisonous part of the weed) in grain and grain screenings fed to livestock. Symptoms include a hardening and contraction (cirrhosis) of the liver, icterus (Yellowish pigmentation of the skin and tissues resulting from deposition of bile pigments, which follows interference of normal production and discharge of bile.), the presence of Hemoglobin in the urine, and death.
FIREWEED (Senecio madagascariensis )
An annual herb which originates from Natal in South Africa and is now extremely common in N.S.W. and QLD Australia. It has an erect habit growing up to 50 centimetres tall, but may be smaller in dry or harsh conditions (10-20cm tall). The plant has mid-green leaves on branched stems but its main characteristic is the mass of small yellow daisy flowers which are seen mainly from winter to spring. The flowers are a golden yellow and have 13 petals surrounding the yellow centre. Seeds form quickly on the plant.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Its the many alkaloids in this plant that make it so poisonous to horses. The major affect it has on horses is it causes liver damage, but other symptoms of poising include some gradual weight loss, jaundice, fluid on the lungs,blindness may occur and then finally sudden death can occur without any other indications.
FOXGLOVE (Digitalis purpurea)
This is an erect biannial plant that reaches a height of around 150cm. It is found growing both in the wild and in gardens. It has red/purple (occasionally white) helmet-shaped flowers. The leaves are the sourse of digitalis, which is used as a medication for heart and kidney problems.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides, digitoxin, digitalin, digitonin, digitalosmin, gitoxin and gitalonin. Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pains, an irregular pulse, tremors and convulsions. This weed is not usually eaten, but once ingested animals can develop a craving for the weed. Even after its been dried it keeps its poison, therefore hay containing foxglove can present a higher risk of poisoning than the growing weed.
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