Poisonous Plants of Colorado

Signs of Plant Poisoning Sudden death Transitory illness = lasts only a short time General body weakness Disturbance of the central nervous, vascular and endocrine systems (any gland of the body that secretes a substance or hormone, thereby controlling certain bodily processes (thyroid, adrenal)) Photosensitization = external parts of body (usually skin), become sensitive to light Frequent urination Diarrhea Bloating

Signs of Plant Poisoning Chronic debilitation (loss of strength or a weakened condition) and death Embryonic death Fetal death Abortion Extensive liver necrosis (death of animals cells of tissues) and/or cirrhosis (a diffuse fibrosis (hardening) of the liver, and some other organs Edema (accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissue) and/or abdominal dropsy Tumor growth in tissues Congenital deformities = acquired during prenatal life; birth defects Metabolic deficiencies Physical injury

Arrowgrass

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College.

Arrowgrass Perennial which resembles grass except the leaves are thicker and circular inches tall Stems – half round

Broom snakeweed

©W.L. Wagner. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany.Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany

Broom snakeweed Low, perennial half-shrub 1 to 2 feet tall Many branched Leaves are linear, entire, and alternately arranged Yellow flowers in small composite heads

Chokecherry

Shrub or small tree Smooth dark bark Green oval leaves with small-toothed edges White flowers in umbrella clusters Red fruit

Death camas

Perennial – rises from bulb resembling an onion except the bulb is odorless Leaves are flat, long & narrow w/ parallel veins White flowers in early spring 4 to 18 inches tall

Gambel oak

Shrubs & trees are best recognized by:  their fruit – the acorn  Their leathery leaves with wavy margins

Greasewood

Native shrub Erect, but much branched plant Thorny 2 to 5 feet tall High in water content Fleshy, bright green leaves Gray bark on older stems

Halogeton

Bushy, succulent annual Little hooked spine on tip of leaf High water content in spring Seed covered with white scalelike wings Resembles Russian thistle

Horsebrush

Shrub 2 to 4 feet high Yellow flowers in spring Spiny, silvery-white leaves Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany.Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany

Low larkspur

Perennial Erect, seldom branched Shallow cluster of tuberous roots Deeply indented leaves Blue flowers are clustered around tops of stems

Tall larkspur

Perennial Much like low larkspur Note the long “spur” on the flower from which the name larkspur is derived Flowers are spread out more at top of plant

Locoweed

Perennial Erect or spreading stems Flowers and stems resemble garden pea (but much smaller)

Lupine ©W.L. Wagner. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany.Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany

Lupine Not all lupines are poisonous Annual or perennial Some shrubs Leaves are divided into 2 to 9 parts Attached to a single point like spokes on a wheel Spikes of pea-shaped flowers in early summer

Milkvetch

Perennial Flowers in June or July Found on dry sites Flower resembles sweet peas Vary in color from creamy white to shades of violet

Pine Needles Herman, D.E. et al North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND. Courtesy of ND State Soil Conservation Committee. Provided by USDA NRCS ND State Office. NDND State Soil Conservation CommitteeUSDA NRCS ND State Office ©J.S. Peterson. USDA NRCS NPDC. Evergreen, Jefferson Co., CO. July 15, 2001.USDA NRCS NPDC

Pine Needles A foot tall tree Needles are usually in groups of 3 Seeds are in pine cones ©J.S. Peterson. USDA NRCS NPDC. Evergreen, Jefferson Co., CO. July 15, 2001USDA NRCS NPDC

Sneezeweed

Perennial Large yellow to orange heads that resemble the sunflower (except they have yellow centers)

Tansy ragwort

Biennial or perennial Strongly scented herb with simple stems 8 inches to 3 feet high Whole plant has strong, unpleasant odor when crushed

Prevention of plant poisoning Follow good pasture or range management practices – plant poisoning is usually a sign of a sick range Know the poisonous plants common to your area Know the symptoms that generally indicate plant poisoning Avoid turning to pasture in early spring Provide supplemental feed during droughts, after plants become mature and after early frost Avoid turning very hungry animals where there are poisonous plants Avoid driving animals too fast when trailing Remove promptly all animals from infested areas when plant poisoning strikes Treat promptly, preferable by a veterinarian

Eyewitness Account What kind of livestock (specie) How the animal acted (signs) What time of year this occurred What the plant looked like What you are going to do to prevent this from occurring again “We are live at the Tox Plant Ranch where animals have been found dead – we are talking with the owner – Mr. Doe – what have you had happening here?”

Arrowgrass

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College.

Broom snakeweed

©W.L. Wagner. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany.Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany

Chokecherry

Death camas

Gambel oak

Greasewood

Halogeton

Horsebrush

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany.Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany

Low larkspur

Tall larkspur

Locoweed

Lupine ©W.L. Wagner. Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany.Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Systematic Biology, Botany

Milkvetch

Pine Needles Herman, D.E. et al North Dakota tree handbook. USDA NRCS ND State Soil Conservation Committee; NDSU Extension and Western Area Power Admin., Bismarck, ND. Courtesy of ND State Soil Conservation Committee. Provided by USDA NRCS ND State Office. NDND State Soil Conservation CommitteeUSDA NRCS ND State Office ©J.S. Peterson. USDA NRCS NPDC. Evergreen, Jefferson Co., CO. July 15, 2001.USDA NRCS NPDC

Sneezeweed

Tansy ragwort