This creeping plant grows to a height of about 20 centimetres. It has an unpleasant smell and is mainly found in grassland, forest edges, waste grounds and in damp woods. It is used in a herbal medicine as a blood cleanser, tonic and diuretic. It is also used to treat kidney stones and gastritis. The leaves are said to reduce inflammation.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Ground ivy contains oils and a very bitter substance which aren't characterised. Symptoms include accelerated weak pulse, respiratory distress, elevated temperature and dizziness. A post-mortem examination may show an enlargement of the spleen, dilation of the caecum and gastroenteritis. There have been reports of illness and death associated with this plant in horses in Eastern Europe.
HELLEBORE (Helleborus spp.)
There are several species of Hellebores and there is often confusion over their common names. The Species Helleborus viridis and Helleborus foetidus are found only in calcareous soils and are local in distribution. There are also cultivated hybrids of Hellebore that are grown in gardens. Hellebore has been used in medicine as a gurgative, a local anaestetic, an abortive and as an atiparasitic.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Hellebores contains a variety of different glycosides including helliborin and many others. Symptoms of poisong from this plant include loss of coat condition, tremors, respiratory problems, irregular pulse, abdominal pains, diarrhoea and excessive urination. There have been a few reported cases of death.
HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum.)
This erect branched biennial plant reaches 2 metres and higher. It is found mainly growing in ditches, along roadsides and on wasteland. It was originally used in herbal medicine to treat neaurological disorders, and as a sedative and anaesthetic. This plant is extremely toxic and was used by the Ancient Greeks as a form of execution. Socrates were killed by it. It is easily confused with other umbellifers, except for its size and the prominent purple spotting on its stem.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Hemlock contains a group of extremely poisonous alkaloids that are found in highest concerntration in parts other than the root. Symptoms of Hemlock poisoning include paraylsis and convulsions. Death occurs with paraylsis of the respiratory system. There have been reported cases of poisoning in horses.
HEMLOCK WATER-DROPWORT (Oenanthe crocata)
Growing to a height of about 50 - 150 centimetres, this erect perennial plant is mainly found in damp places and calcareous soils. The rootstock is made up of five or more fleshy, pale yellow or white finger-like tubers - hense its common name 'dead man's fingers'.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Hemlock water-dropwort contains a concerntrated higher alcohol which is a convulsant poison, not affected either by drying or storage. The most poisonous part is the roots and a very small dosage can cause death. The greatest concerntration of the toxins in this plant occur during the winter months. Symptoms of poisoning include salivation, dilated pupils, convuslions and death, which occure rapidly after ingestion of the plant.
HEMP NETTLE (Galeopis ladanum)
Also known as Broad-leaved hemp nettle. It is found mainly on wastelands. It has a soft, hairy stem and the lilac flowers are small.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The poisonous principles of the plant are unclear. Affected animals appear weak and they will refuse to eat their food and drink water, they also display muscle tremors. Post - mortem examinations have shown haemorrhagic inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.
HENBANE (Hyoscyamus niger)
This weed is found mainly on wasteland, around old buildings and on coastal sands or shingles. It was once cultivated for use in medicine as a sedative and painkiller.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This weed contains tropane alkaloids. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the roots are higher in toxins. Symptoms of poisoning include restlessness, convulsions, rapid heartbeat, dilated pupils and a dry mouth. In normal curcumstances the plant due to its disagreeable odour is unattractive to animals.
HERB PARIS (Paris quadrifolia)
This hairless perennial plant grows to a height of about 40 centimetres. It is found mainly in damp calcareous soils, usually in forests. It is used in homoeopathy to treat problems associated with the nervous system.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
There has been very little published information on this weed that is of any use, mainly because it is confusing. The toxins are believed to be saponins or glycosides. Reports of poisoning include symptoms like excitability, nervous twitching and an increased pulse. Painful urination and bowel movements, aswell as dilated pupils have also been observed later. The plant in normal curcumstances is unpalatable and poisoning is rare in horses.
HOLLY (Llex spp.)
Most species of Ilex have flowers: axillary, small, greenish white, unisexual, male and female borne on separate plants; pistillate flowers: bear stamens with reduced anthers; stammate flowers: produce as many stamens as the number of petals, often with a vestigial pistil; calyx: 4-6 lobed; petals: 4-8, slightly fused at base; fruit: a red or black berry. The steeped berries of American holly, Ilex opaca, have been used by Amerindians as a cardiac stimulant. The dried leaves have been used by colonists and immigrants as a substitute for tea, especially during the American Civil War. Care should be taken during the Christmas season to keep children away from Ilex berries.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The berries of mildly poisonous with an unknown toxin, they can cause colic and stupor when ingested in large amounts.
HORSE RADISH (Armoracia rusticana)
A robust perennial plant which reaches a height of around 1.5metres with a thick fleshy root found mainly on waste lands, in paddocks and beside watercourses. It is cultivated for human consumption. Used medicinally for respiratory and urinary problems, and also as a poultice for rheumatism and bronchitis.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This plant contains a substance called sinigrin, which is a potent irritant, along with other toxins. Poisoning is rare due to the pugent taste of the plant, but there have been reports of poisoning. In one case six ponies were found dead after breaking into an orchard and gorging themselves on the leaves and flowering stems of Horse Radish. There was evidence of violent struggling before death and a post - mortem examination revealed acute inflammination of the stomach.
HORSETAIL (Equisetum spp.)
A weed with vegative stems that grow up to 80 centimetres tall. This weed prefers damp grassy areas, and there are a variety of species of the horsetail the common horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and the marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre) being the two most common. Horsetail is used in traditional medicine to treat kidney and bladder disorders, and is also used to treat aczema and arthritis.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
This weed contains an enzyme called thiaminase, which is antagonistic to thiamin (vitamin b1). SEE BRACKEN. A significant intake can lead to kidney damage.
HOUND'S TONGUE (Cynoglossum officinale)
It is a biennial that is introduced from Europe. It reproduces by seeds and appears as a leafy rosette in its first year. The stem is erect, stout, heavy, 1-1/2 to 3 feet high, usually branched above. The leaves are alternate, the basal and lower ones are broad, and are oblong to lance-shaped. The upper leaves are narrower and pointed, almost clasping. The flowers are terminal and reddish-purple in color. The fruit consists of four nutlets (seeds), each about 1/3 inch long, with the outer surface covered with short, barbed prickles. Nutlets break apart at maturity and are rapidly scattered by animals. It grows mainly in paddocks and along roadsides.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The leaves are the poisonous part containing echinatine
and heliosupine alkaloids. Symptoms of poisoning include An inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements, rapid breathing, confulsions, depression, diarrhoea, the presence of free hemoglobin in the urine, icterus, cirrhosis of the liver, congestion of the lungs, coma and finally death. The plant causes disorders of the central nervous system and can cause hepatic failure in horses.
HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea macrophylla)
a rounded shrub with huge, deciduous, opposite, serrated, medium to dark green leaves. It is usually seen at 3'-6' with an equal spread, but older specimens can exceed 8'! Flowers are arranged in huge, ball shaped clusters on the most common varieties. Flowers on most hydrangeas are pH-sensitive, with dark purple or blue flowers in acidic soil, white or dull green in neutral earth, and pink in alkaline soil.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
It is the flower buds and leaves that are toxic containing hydragin, a cyanogenetic glycoside presumed to be responsible for toxicity because it can release hydrocyanic acid upon hydrolysis. Symptoms of poisoning include contraction of the abdominal muscles, diarrhea, and stiffness of limbs.
IRIS (Iris pseudacorus/foetidissima)
There are two main types of iris, the yellow flag (iris pseudacorus) and the stinking iris (iris foetidissima). The yellow flag is found in swamps and wet ground, while the stinking iris grows in hedges, forests and on ocean cliffs.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
All parts of both the species of iris are poisonous, especially the rhizomes. The poisonous principles are unclear but the plant does contain resin, a glycoside, myristic acid and an acid compound. Symptoms of iris poising include elevation of temperature, intestinal disturbance with diarrhoea and sometimes bleeding. Poisoning of horses have been reported with recovery in a few days.
JIMSONWEED (Datura Stramonium L.)
Jimsonweed is an annual herb which grows up to 5 feet tall. It has a pale geen stem with spreading branches. Leaves are ovate with green or purplish coloration , coarsely serrated along edges, and 3 to 8 inches long. Flowers are white or purple with a 5-pointed corolla up to four inches long and set on short stalks in the axils of branches. Seeds are contained in a hard, spiny capsule, about 2 inches in diameter, which splits lenghtwise into four parts when ripe. It gows in cultivated fields being a major weed in soybeans worldwide. Jimsonweed is common on overgrazed pastures, barnyards, and waste land preferring rich soils.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Jimsonweed toxicity is caused by tropane alkaloids. The total alkaloid content in the plant can be as high as 0.7%. The toxic chemicals are atropine, hyoscine also called scopolamine), and hyoscyamine. All parts of Jimsonweed are poisonous. Leaves and seeds are the usual source of poisoning, but are rarely eaten do to its strong odor and unpleasant taste. Poisoning can occur when hungry animals are on sparse pasture with Jimsonweed infestation. Most animal poisoning results from feed contamination. Jimsonweed can be harvested with hay or silage, and subsequently poisoning occurs upon feeding the forage.
Symptoms include rapid pulse, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, restlessness, nervousness, muscular twitching, frequent urination, diarrhea, lower body temperature, coma, retained urine and convulsions. Jimsonweed poisoning occurs in most domesticated production animals: Cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, and poultry. Human poisoning occurs more frequently than livestock poisoning making jimsonweed unusual among most poisonous plants.
JOHNSONGRASS (Sorghum halepense)
Johnsongrass is a tall (up to 10 feet) coarse-textured perennial grass that reproduces by rhizomes and seeds. Leaves are rolled in the bud and have a tall membranous ligule with shallow teeth on the top. Leaf blades are long (eight to 24 inches), smooth, and flat, with a thick, prominent white midvein. Leaves are usually bright green, but they may also contain purple pigmented spots. In the vegetative stage, Johnsongrass looks like a narrow-leaved corn plant. The seedhead is large, purple, and pyramidal in shape, with dark reddish-brown, oval seeds. It is found mainly along irrigated canals, fields, and other areas with rich soils. This species is considered among the world’s 10 worst weeds.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
Hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) is produced in the leaves and stems of Johnsongrass when it is subjected to drought, trampling, frost, herbicide treatment, and even cutting. Toxicity is identical to that of Prunus poisoning and results in hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues). The first symptoms appear within a few minutes following ingestion. Affected animals exhibit excitement, incoordination, convulsions, rapid and labored breathing, bloating, and coma. Death can occur in less than an hour due to internal asphyxiation. Toxic levels of nitrates can accumulate in Johnsongrass following heavy fertilization or drought and result in toxicosis which may be confused with cyanide poisoning. Common symptoms of nitrate poisoning include stomach and intestinal irritation and may result in hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues). Horses are less susceptible to cyanide and nitrate poisoning than are ruminants.
KENTUCKY COFFE-TREE (Gymnocladus dioica )
The Kentucky Coffee Tree is native to the eastern and central portions of the United States. It can mature to a very stately tree of more than 100 feet high. It has large compound leaves clustered on a relatively small number of branches. Greenish-white flowers appear in spring followed by 3 to 5 inch thick curved seed pods (shown above) which remain on the tree until the following spring when they drop pointed end down into the soil where they deposit their 1 inch seeds. Both male and female trees are necessary to produce the fruit/seed pods.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
The sprouts. foliage, and fruit are poisonous. The cause of toxicosis is unknown but may be due to the presence of alkaloids. Cytisine, a toxic quinolizidine alkaloid, has been extracted from leaves, pods, and seeds. Symptoms of poisoning include Severe gastrointestinal irritation and narcotic-like effects on the nervous system.
KIDNEY VETCH (Anthyllis vulnéraire)
This weed grows to a height of about 40 centimetres. The kidney vetch is very variable, and can be erect, spreading, or along the ground. The stems are covered in short silky hairs, and are thickly lined with leaves. The flowers, up to about 18 mm long, can be red, purple or yellowish-white, are in the form of a dense head, similar in appearance to clover. The stems leaves have from 7 to 13 equal leaflets, with a larger end leaf. The plant has larger lower leaves, oval or lance shaped, and usually undivided. This weed is found mainly on Garrigue, grassy and stony ground, it likes shallow calcareous soils. Formerly used as a remedy for kidney diseases. Also called woundwort.
Poisonous principles and symptoms
I am unable to find any information in this area for this weed, if anyone knows about this weed, we would really appreciate an email telling us so we are able to tell other. Hopefully someone out there knows about this weed.
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