university of illinois-poisonous plants of the midwest 1983

8/6/2019 University of Illinois-Poisonous Plants of the Midwest 1983

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81.6909773P756 POISONOUS PLANTS OF THE MIDWEST


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UNIVERSITY OFILLINOIS LIBRARY

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MAR 1 2 1984


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Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2011 with funding from

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

http://www.archive.org/details/poisonousplantsoOOuniv


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POISONOUS PLANTS OF THE MIDWEST

University of IllinoisDepartment of Landscape ArchitectureSeptember 1983

This pamphlet was produced bv the students in the seniorplanting design studio, Landscape Architecture 253, inconjunction with a project to design a poisonous plantgarden for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Thepurpose of this pamphlet is to inform people about theeffects of the most common poisonous plants to humansand animals found in the Midwest.

Editing and Graphics Lois BeardsleyJeff SlootResearch Lois BeardsleyCharlie Fischer

Peter FranzCarrie FreundCarol HerrmanJeff HoerrStan JonesJay KenningSteve LaneStewart MizutaMichelle NormanKristi SeitzLori SelbachJeff SlootDarren SneadJanet StutzDennis SwinfordCathy Whitman

Instructors Natalie AlpertKaren Brainerd


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5*^1. 690 V "table of contents C PXFOUND: P COMMON NAME: PAGE:

OPEN PASTURES OR MEADOWS Bracken Fern 1Corn Cockle lCow Cockle 1Cocklebur *Hogwort 2Lobelia/Indian Tobacco 2Nettle (Horse) 2Rape 2Star of Bethlehem 2Milkweed (Who'll or Horsetail) 3Wild Cabbage 3White Sweet Clover 3

OPEN OR SWAMPY PASTURES AND Blue Cardinal/Great Lobelia Flower 2OP STREAMS, DITCHES, PONDS, Buttercups JSPRINGS Cocklebur )Brgot JHorsetails b

Indian Tobacco 2Mayapple ^Poison Hemlock 'Sneezeweed

J?Water Hemlock 6

WOODED OR OLD WOODLAND PASTURES Black Locust 7Buckeye/Horse ChestnutButtercup (Hooked, Swamp, Small- Flower) 4Cherry (Choke, Pin, Wild Black)

jjClimbing Bittersweet Dutchmans Breeches/Squirrel Corn 8Dwarf Larkspur ^Indian TobaccoJack-In-The-Pulpit/Indian Turnip 9Kentucky Coffee Tree !MayappleNightshade (Black, Bittersweet) j|Oak Pokeberry/Pokeweed J QWhite Snakeroot llYew (all species)

12FENCES OR ROADSIDES OR BARNYARDS Aike Clover 7Black Locust 9Black Nightshade 12Bouncing BetBuffalo Bur uClimbing Bittersweet JCockleburs *Common St. Johnswort

l *Corn Cockle 13Dogbanes 4Brgot


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OF CONTENTSTwo

POUND:

AND ORNANTAL

COMMON NAME: PAGE:Hemp 13Horsetails 5Indian Tobacco 10Jlasonweed 14Johnson grass 14Morning Glory 14Pigweed 14Poison Hemlock 5Pokeberry/Pokoweed 10Potato 15Sudan 14Wild Cherry 8

Autumn Crocus 16Asalea 21Bleeding Heart 16Burning Bush 16Caladium 16Castor Oil Bean 17Chrysanthemum 17Daffodil 20English Holly 17Flax 17Pour-O-Clock 18Foxglove 1 8Gingko 18Golden Chain Tree I 8Horsechestnut/Buckeve 1Hydrangea 18Iris . WJerusalem Cherry 19Lantana 19Lilly of the Valley 19Locoweed 19Lupine 20Monkshood/Aeonite 20Morning Glory 20fountain Laurel 21Narcissus 20Paw Paw 21Red Maple 21Rhododendron 2 *Rhubarb 21Rosary Pea/Precatory Bean 2 *Snow on the Mountain 22Sour Dock 22Wild Onion 22Wisteria 22


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DRY OPEN PASTURES OR MEADOWS

BRACKEN FERN / Pteridium

A perennial growing l'-4' tall.It is

found in upland pastures, abandoned fields,and open woodlands. All parts, particularlythe rhizome, are poisonous. Thiaminase andother poisonous constituents are found inthis plant. Poisoning frequently occurs,in horses and cattle from the growing plantor when it has been harvested green.Symptoms are a vitamin B deficiency andover time damage to the bone marrow.

CORN COCKLE / Agostemraa githagoAn erect, silky stemmed annual herb growingto 3 feet tall which oroduces a large seed cap-sule, this plant is found in disturbed soilssuch as grain fields. The toxins githagin andsaoonin are found in all narts of the plant, butare highly concentrated in the seeds. Whilesmaller amounts may produce colic, inability tostand, and rapid breathing, animals may die fromeating 1/4 - 1 round of ground cockle seedper 100 lbs. of body weight. Chickens and ho^sare affected most frequently from eating groundcockle seed which is mixed in with feed grain.

C0T7 COCKLE / Saponaria vaccariaAn annual herb growing 1-2 feet tall andproducing a capsule containing numerous large,black, rounded seeds, this plant prefers loosesoils of cultivated fields and waste areas. Allnarts, but especially the seeds, contain the

' toxin saponin, which can easily be ingested withgrain by livestock.COCKLEBUR / Xanthium

An annual, l'-3' high, found in sandybottomland pastures, cornfields, and barnlots. The young plant and seeds arepoisonous containing the toxic glucoside,xanthostrumarin. Cocklebur can be fatal tocattle, pigs, sheep, horses, and chickens.


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H0G170PT / Croton capitatusAn annual growing 1-4 feet tall and occurring ondry soil in the eastern U.S., this nlant containscroton oil. It is said that ten drops of thisoil can kill a dog, and cattle are sometimespoisoned by hay contaminated by this plant.However, most animals will leave hogwort alone,as its taste is disagreeable and external contactcauses blistering and irritation.

LOBELIA or BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER/Lobelia inflataor INDIAN TOBACCO

An annual or perennial found in meadows,pastures, and cultivated fields. The leaves,stems and fruits contain the alkaloids,lobeline and lobelidine. Animals havebeen poisoned by feeding on the herbage.Symptoms are nausea, vomiting, exhaustion,dilation of pupils, coma, convulsions, anddeath.

NETTLE (HORSE or BULL) / Solanum carol inenseA perennial that grows 1 * -4' tall. It isfound in sandy fields and waste ground.The roots and fruit contain a poison knownas solanin. It causes gastro-intestinaldisturbances and could be fatal.

WILD CABBAGE and RAPE / Brassica oleraceaB . napus

A biennial growing to 2'. It grows onwaste ground, but mainly cultivated as afodder crop. Possibly all parts arepoisonous containing glycosides.Symptons are digestive upset, respira-tory disorder, nervous system disorder,and urinary disorder. Poisoning occursmore commonly in wet seasons and afterearly frost.

STAR OF BETHLEHEMA perennial from a bulb growing to 1' tall.It is cultivated occasionally and is alsofound in waste places, along roadsides andlawns. Various alkaloids are found in thebulb and above-ground parts. They causenausea and intestinal disorders to animals.


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HOP.SE TAIL HILIC.7EED / Asclepias verticillataA perennial growing 1-2 feet tall foundthroughout the U.S. in meadows, nastures andwaste places. The juice of the olant is milkyand contains a resinous substance causing lossof muscular control, staggering, violent spasms,labored respiration and paralysis and death.Although distasteful to animals, sheep forced toforage on milkweed may die after consumingonly 2-3 ounces of green vegetation.

SWEET V/HITE CLOVER / Melilotus albaA member of the bean family, this plant has beenwidely introduced into the U.S. and Canada and inthe Northwest is extensively grovm for pasturehay and nitrogen replenishment. Poisoning mayoccur when cattle are fed an exclusive ration ofsweet clover hay, but not when fed alternatelywith timothy or prairie hay. Not all sweetclover is poisonous, and farmers have testedtheir clover on rabbits before feeding itto cattle.


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MOIST OPEN OR SWAMPY PASTURES ANDPLANTS OF STREAMS, DITCHES, PONDS,AND SPRINGS

LOBELIA or BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER/ Lobelia inflataor INDIAN TOBACCO

PAGE: 2

BUTTERCUP (TALL CROWFOOT, / Ranunculus acrisSMALL- FLOWERED, BULBOUS R. abortivusCREEPING, SWAMP and R. bulbosusHOOKED) R. repens

The Ranunculus species is either aperennial or annual growing l'-3' andfound in pastures, meadows, and open wood-lands, Creeping Buttercup in common in lowwet pastures. Buttercups contain an acridvolatile constituent, anemenol, which isstrong enough to produce an irritation ifit comes into contact with the skin. Oftenthe leaves are eaten by cattle whichexperience severe inflammation of theintestinal tract and blistering in themouth

C::CKLEBUR / Xanthium PAGE: 1

ERGOT / Claviceps purpureaA fungus that lives as a parasite of grasses,this plant appears commonly on rye but also onwheat, oats, blue grass, quakgrass, meadow fescueand smooth brome when the grass flower headmatures. Ergot contains several alkaloids,including ergotoxin, which when foraged in largequantities at one time can cause trembling,incoordination, convulsions, painful muscle con-tractions and in fatal cases the animal may become"delirious. The poison is also cumulative, withcontinued feeding of smaller amounts causing theanimal to become depressed and to develoogangrene of tail, feet, ears and teats.


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HORSETAILS / Equisetum arvenseNative perennial herbs growing to 4 feet tall,these plants thrive in wet soils and infertileareas. The entire nlant is poisonous, especiallywhen abundant in hay. E. arvense is rarely ifever fatal, but E. palustre may be lethal tocattle. Sheep are nore susceptible than horses.Horsetail extracts possess thianinase activity,producing unthri ft fullness, staggering, diarrhea,difficulty in breathing and emaciation. Deathis preceded by convulsions and ooma.

LOBELIA or BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER/ Lobelia inflataor INDIAN TOBACCO

* PAGE: 2MAYAPPLE / Podophyllum peltatum L.

A perennial that grows 12" to 18" tall.is found in moist, rich woodlands andpastures. The rootstocks are the mostpoisonous part of the plant, containingpodophyllin. Overdoses are fatal.

POISON HEMLOCK / Coniura maculatum

It

A 5' biennial or perennial growing onwasteland and near streams. The poison isa volatile alkaloid, comine, which is foundespecially in the leaves and fruits, but insome concentration in all parts. PoisonHemlock is probably the most well-knownpoisonous plant, it being administered toSocrates by the Greeks. The seeds can bemistaken for anise, the leaves for parsley,or the roots for parsnips; also fromblowing whistles made from the hollow stems.It is most poisonous to stock in springwhen it offers an early green pasture. Thetoxin is an alkaloid destroyed by dryingand heat. Symptoms for animals are loss ofappetite, salivation, bloating, loss ofmuscular power, and rapid feeble pulse.


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SNEEZEWEED / Helenium autumnaleA perennial growing l'-6* high. It isfound around waterholes, ditches and low,wet meadows. All parts of the plant containan acrid bitter substance, though it is mostconcentrated in the mature flower-heads.Sheep, cows, and horses have been poisonedby feeding on large quantities of theflowering tops. Symptoms are acceleratedpulse, labored breathing, staggering andif fatal preceded by spasms and convulsions.

WATER HEMLOCK / Cicuta maculataor COWBANE

A perennial which grows 2'-6' tall. Theyoccur mainly in wet meadows, pastures,along ditches, and streams. The roots androotstocks are the most poisonous parts ofthe plant, but all parts may contain someof the poison, which is a resin-likesubstance, called cicutoxin. Leaves andfruits of Cicuta may be eaten green or inhay without danger of poisoning. Water


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WOODED OR OLD WOODLAND PASTURES

BLACK LOCUST / Robinia Pseudo-Acacia

A small tree growing 30' -40' high. It iswidely planted and used for ornamentallandscaping. The seeds, leaves, and barkof this tree are responsible for animalpoisoning. Numerous cases have beenreported from cattle grazing on youngshoots, or horses gnawing bark or eatingleaves when tied to a Black Locust.Symptoms are stupor, depressed heart action,weakened pulse, and gastro-enteritis

HORSECHESTNUT andBUCKEYE

/ Aesculus octandra/ A. pavia/ A. hippocastanura

Woody trees or shrubs growing from 15-50*. Grownin eastern and central U.S., occurring in richwoodlands and along streams. All parts may bepoisonous, but animals tend to forage mostly onnew sprouts and nuts/seeds. Toxins includeseveral glucosides affecting the cerebralnervous system.

BUTTERCUP (TALL CROWFOOT,SMALL-FLOWERED, BULBOUSCREEPING, SWAMP andHOOKED)

Ranunculus acrisR. abortivusR. bulbosusR. repens

PAGE:


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CHERRY: PIN /Prunus pennsylvanicaWILD BLACK /P. serotinaCHOKE CHERRY/P. virginiana

All the cherries are trees. The Pin Cherrygrows 25' - 40'. They are found in dryrocky woods and old fields mainly in theNortheastern states. The Wild Black Cherryreaches 50'-60'. They are adaptable,being found in moist areas or dry uplandsin most of the U.S. except the Westernstates. The Choke Cherry grows to 20' -30',

' and is common in thickets and along fencerows in Central and Eastern U.S. Allthese cherries along with Apricot, Peach,Plum, and Bitter Almond (the Prunus Species)contain cyanogenetic glycosides whichbreak down into prussic acid. The kernelscontain the toxin which causes excitement,convulsions, and respiratory distress.

BITTERSWEET (CLIMBING) / Celastrus scandensA woody twining vine common along fencerowsand thickets. The fruits and leaves arereported to contain evonymin. Horses havebeen poisoned by eating the leaves.Symptoms are nausea and perspiration.

DUTCHMANS BREECHES / Dicentra cucullariaA delicate perennial wildflower found inwoodland pastures in early spring. Theleaves and bulbs are poisonous to cattle.Horses are rarely poisoned and sheep arenot affected. The alkaloids in this plantcause trembling, convulsions and deathin cattle.

LARKSPUR (ANNUAL, / Delphinium ajacisDWARF) D. tricome

Dwarf Larkspur is a perennial growing to 12".It is found in open or exposed places.Annual Larkspur is a cultivated annualvariety that grows 2' tall. The seeds andfoliage are poisonous containing alkaloids.Usually cattle are poisoned by Larkspur earlyin the season when grazing on green plants.Except for Locoweed, Larkspurs causegreater loss of cattle than any otherpoisonous plants. Symptoms are a loss ofappetite, uneasiness and staggering gait.


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LOBELIA or BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER/Lobelia inflataor INDIAN TOBACCO

" PAGE: 2

JACK IN THE PULPIT or / Arisaema triphyllumINDIAN TURNIPA perennial growing to about 12" inwoodlands. Calcium oxalate is probably thetoxic agent, but as yet unproven. Allplant parts are poisonous, but symptomsusually follow chewing of the leaves, andsometimes corms. Symptoms are sharp pain,numbness and irritation of the mucousmembranes.

KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE / Gymnocladus dioicaA large tree growing 60' -75' in height.The fruit and leaves contain an alkaloid,which is poisonous to animals. Thesymptoms in humans are narcotic. Animalswill eat seeds and pods in winter andsprouts in spring. The experienceabdominal pain, diarrhea, and straining.

MAYAPPLE / Podophyllum peltatum L.PAGE: 5

NIGHTSHADE (BLACK, BITTER) /Solanum amcricanumS. dulcamara

Annual herbs, mostly less than 2' tall.Black Nightshade is found in barnyards andwaste ground. Bitter Nightshade is commonin yards, thickets, and marshes. All partsare poisonous, containing a glyco-alkaloid(Solanin) causing gastro enteritis andhaemolysis of the red cells. Peopleexperience loss of sensation while animalsexperience progressive apathy leading tounconsciousness. Nightshade can be foundin hay or grain.


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OAK / QuercusA large tree found in most parts of theU.S. , common in a broadleaf forest. Oaksprouts and leaves are eaten followingwinter or short rations. Symptoms include,loss of appetite, trembling of muscles,diarrhea, milk flow may stop in cows,and death may occur.

POKEWEED or / Phytolacca americana L. orPOKEBERRY / Phytolacca decandra L.A tall perennial herb growing 3' -9' high.It is common in recent clearings and openplaces in woods and along borders of woodsespecially in the Eastern part of the U.S.Sometimes it occurs in pastures. Allparts are poisonous, especially the rootsand fruit. This plant contains smallamounts of the alkaloid, phytolaccine, anda substance similar to saponin. Theanimal's nerves and muscles are affectedand death can occur. People are alsoaffected by the toxins in this plant.

WHITE SNAKEROOT / Eupatorium rugosumA perennial that grows l'-3' tall. It isfound in woodlands, pastures and wasteland.This plant needs shade. The leaves andstems contain a poison, tremotol, whichcauses the disease known as "trembles" incattle and horses. Tremotol can be trans-mitted through milk to other animals andhumans. The disease in humans is called"milk sickness." Symptoms in animals aretrembling muscles, especially in the noseand legs. Eventually they are unable tostand.


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YEW (ALL SPECIES) / Taxus canadensis (American)T. cuspidata (Japanese)T. baccata (English)

Evergreen shrubs growing from 3' to 50'.They are commonly used as ornamentallandscape plants, but are also found inwooded lots, and open pastures. The wood,bark, leaves, and seeds contain thealkaloid toxin, taxine. Taxine is a heartdepressant. Symptoms are vomiting,diarrhea, convulsions, slowing of the heartwhich ultimately stops. Death is suddenand survival after poisoning is uncommon.Animals may eat yew when there is littleother vegetation available (winter).


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FENCES OR ROADSIDES OR BARNYARDSA|s!l)IKE CLOVER / Tri folium hybridum

A perennial growing 2* -3' tall. It isfound in woodlands, pastures, and timberareas. All parts are possibly poisonouscontaining the toxin cyanogenetic glycoside,which is prussic acid. In animals, suddendeath may occur after rapid breathing andshort-lived spasms.

BLACK LOCUST / Robinia Pseudo-AcaciaPAGE: 7

NIGHTSHADE (BLACK, BITTER) /Solanum americanumS. dulcamara

PAGE: 9

BOUNCING BET / Saponaria officinalisA perennial herb growing from 1 to 3 feet tallwhich Droduces pink to white flowers from Julyto Sept. Found in waste areas, ditch banks andsandy soil conditions. All parts, but especiallythe seeds, contain Saponin, which when ingestedby livestock can produce dizziness, nausea,vomiting, rapid pulse and diarrhea.

BUFFALO BUR / Solanum rostratumAn annual growing to 3 feet with spkpy leaves,stems, and berries, this plant grows in loosesoils of overgrazed pastures, waste areas androadsides. The toxic principle is Solanine,which yields several alkaloids that can producenausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain,apathy, dry mouth, labored breathing, trembling,prostration and unconsciousness. Death resultsfrom respiratory paralysis. Poisoning isgenerally attributed to consumption of unripenberries and foliage, as the mature plant isvirtually harmless.

BITTERSWEET (CLIMBING) / Celastrus scandensPAGE: 8

COCKLEBUR / Xanthiui.PAGE: 1


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ST. JOHNStORT / Hypericum perforatumAn erect perennial herb growing 1-3 ft. tall andfound in sandy or infertile soils, overgrazedpastures and abandoned fields. Although basi-cally unpalatable, an animal forced to craze onit may show signs of ohoto hypersensitivitycaused by the toxic agent, hypericin. Rednessof the skin occurs, followed by edema, peelingof the skin and possibly blindness.

CORN COCKLE / Agostenma githago

DOGBANE / Apocynum cannabinumPAGE: 1

A perennial herb growing 1-5 feet tall, thisplant is most often found in open woodlands,pastures, and infrequently tilled fields.Dogbanes contain the resin apocynin, the.glucosides apoccynein and cymarin, which ispossibly hydrolized to cynamarigenin (probablythe principle poison) . Ingestion may occur whennormal forage is not available or when mixedwith hay. Signs of poisoning include rising bodytemperature, sweating, strong pulse, dilatedpupils, discoloring inside the mouth, andrefusal to eat; bowel action is frequent anddeath is likely to occur.

ERGOT / Claviceps Purpurea

HEMP / Cannabis sativaPAGE:

A coarse annual herb growing to 9 feet, hempresembles fiant ragweed in general appearanceand is now commonly found on roadsides, drainageditches and along row crops of the Midwest. Thetoxins cannibidiol, cannibidol and the resintetrahydrocannabinol are found in greatest con-centration in the flower^parts . The seed is animportant part of bird seed mixtures, and smallamounts may cause birds to sing more readily.Deoression and derangement of the centralnervous system are other symptoms in animals.

HORSETAILS / Equisetum arvense .--PAGE: 5LOBELIA or BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER/Lobelia inflateor INDIAN TOBACCO

' PAGE: 10


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JIMSONWEED or THORN-APPLE/Datura stramoniumAn annual growing to 3' in height. It isfound in cultivated fields and waste places.The leaves, unripe capsules and especiallythe seeds are poisonous containingalkaloids not destroyed by drying orstorage. Children are attracted to thecapsules, which are fatal. Animalsusually avoid this' plant because of itsstrong odor and unpleasant taste, but con-sume it when mixed with hay and arepoisoned. Symptoms are nausea, thirst,nervous confusion, loss of sight, voluntarymotion and sometimes convulsions, mania,and death.

SUDAN' GRASS /Sorghum vulgare var. sudanense piperJOHNSON CRASS/Sorghum nalepense L. persSudan grass is an annual, while Johnsongrass is a perennial. Both will get 3' -6'tall and are grown as a fodder crop. Hogsare not affected, but sheep and cattle arepoisoned when they graze on drought- stricken,stunted, or frosted plants. Second growthsorghum is very dangerous. The toxininvolved is prussic or hydrocyanic acid,which appears to be rendered innoxious bydrying. So, it should remain in the siloat least 6 weeks before being fed.Symptoms include difficult breathing, slowpulse, drowsiness, dilation of the pupils,running at the eyes, later convulsions,unconsciousness and death.

MORNING GLORY / Convolvulus arrensis L.A creeping perennial that is widespread.Poisoning occurs in swine who were feedingon roots and rootstocks. It seems to beonly slightly poisonous.

PIGYEED / Amaranthus hybridusAn erect annual herb growing to 7 feet tall andfound in cultivated fields and roadsides. Theentire plant is noisonous, and when nigs areallowed to graze on it there is a rapid onset ofweakness, trembling and incoordination.


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POISON HEMLOCK / Conium maculatumPAGE:

POKEWEED or / Phytolacca americana L. orPOKEBERRY / Phytolacca decandra I

IRISH POTATO / Solanum tuberosum

PAGE: 10

Afeultivated plant in temperate regions risingfrom a tuber and growing 2-3 feet tall. Theleaves and snrouted notatoes contain solaninewhich can cause anorexia, nausea, vomiting,trembling, and even death from respiratoryparalysis.

SUDAN GRASS /Sorghum vulgare var. sudanense piperJOHNSON GRASS/Sorghum nalepense L. pers.PAGE: 14CHERRY: PIN /Prunus pennsylvanica

WILD BLACK /P. serotinaCHOKE CIIERRY/P. virginiana

PAGE: 8


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FLOWERGARDEN AND ORNAMENTAL

AUTUMN CROCUS / Colchicum autunmaleAn ornamental perennial. Its bulb isthe source of colchicine, an alkaloidwhich interferes with the process ofcell division. They can cause deathin humans and in livestock from bulbsthat have naturalized in pasturesand fields.

AZALEA / Rhododendron spp..PAGE: 21

BLEEDING HEART / Dicentra spectabilisA perennial found in upland woodedpastures of the East and Centralstates. Poisoning occurs mostfrequently in spring when cattlegraze woodland pastures and aftera rain when tubers can be easilypulled up. The tuber containstoxic alkaloids and can cause death.

BURNING BUSH / Euonymus alatusA shrub or small tree with winged stems whichproduces a reddish capsule fruit containing seedscovered bv a red aril. Cultivated throughouteastern North America, it prefers rich moistsoils. The leaves and fruits of burning-bushare reported to possess purgative properties,and poisoning of sheep, goats and children hastypically produced nausea, prostration andcold sweat.

CALADIUM / Caladium spp.A commonly grown ornamental. Bitingor chewing the leaves or stem has causedirritation and burning of the mouthand throat of humans and livestock.The toxic agent includes needle-likecrystals of calcium oxalate, althoughother toxins have also been suspected


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CASTOR OIL PLANT / Ricinus communisAn annual growing to 8'. It grows as acultivated variety in temperate regions.This plant is toxic to all animals andpoisoning occurs from either the seeds orresidue left from seeds. The seeds containthe toxin, phytotoxin which causes unsteadywalk, muscle spasms, purgation, convulsionsand death.

CHRYSANTHEMUM / Chrysanthemum spp.Colorful garden plant grown throughoutthe U.S. which can cause minordermatitis in humans and reportedlycan effect flavor of milk indairy cattle.

DAFFODIL / AmaryllidaceaePAGE: 20

ENGLISH HOLLY / Ilex aquifoliumAn ornamental evergreen shrub or treegrowing to 40'. It is used as a landscapeplant in the U.S., but is native toEngland. The red berries are poisonouscausing violent vomiting and diarrheain animanls and children.

COMMON FLAX / Linum usitatissimumAn annual which grows to 2'. Introcudedfrom Europe, it is cultivated in north-western states and Canada. The leaves andseed husk contain the toxin, cyanogeneticglycoside. Poisoning occurs especiallyin cattle and pigs which eat linseed cakeor feed containing flaw screenings.The symptoms are respiratory stimulation,followed by excrement, convulsions,paralysis, and death.


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POUR-O'CLOCK / Mirabilis jalapaA perennial herb 1-3 feet tall, this plant occursin the southern U.S. growing along roadsides,gardens and meadows. The roots and seeds causeacute stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea inchildren, but this plant is not usually trevble-in cultivated land.

FOXGLOVE / Digitalis purpureaA biennial herb (flowers 2nd year) growingto 1-2 in. high. Grown in most parts of U.S.,occurring locally in rich lowland areas and wood-lands. All parts are poisonous, containing thecardioactive glucosides digitoxin, digitalin anddigitonin. Animals usually become poisoned bydry foxglove found in hay.

MAIOBMAIR TREE / Ginkgo bilobaA new frequently planted ornamental treeintroduced from Asia, the female of this speciesproduces a drupe- like fruit which can eausedermatitis.

GOLDEN CHAIN TREE / Laburnum x watereriA small tree growing 12' -15'. There arewild species, but most are cultivated andused as ornamental trees. All parts arepoisonous, though the bark and seeds arcparticularly so. Animals may eat fallenpods and seeds. Children eat the seeds,mistaking them for peas. The toxin is analkaloid causing vomiting, convulsions, anddeath from respiratory failure.

HORSECHESTNUT and / Aesculus octandra/ A. paviaBUCKEYE / A. hippocastanum

HYDRANGEA / Hydrangea spo.PAGE: 7

Native and cultivated shrubs found overeastern and central U.S., occurring locally inboth moist and dry areas. Leaves and flowerscontain hydrangin, a ghicoside yielding prussicacid, a cyanogenic.


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LUPINE or 'WILD BEAN' / Luoinus spp.Annual as well as perennial herbs and a fewshrubs. Lupinus perennis is most common. Allparts, especially seeds, are poisonous, but notall lunines are toxic, and even trained botanistshave trouble distinguishing species.

MONKSHOOD or / Aconitum napellus orACONITE / Aconitum columbianumA perennial growing to 4'. It is found inwet meadows and along streams and shadyplaces. All parts of the plant contain thealkaloids, aconitine and aconine. Horsesand sheep tend to cat it on ranges. Somesymptoms are muscular weakness, irregularbreathing, bloating, belching, attempts toswallow frequently and dilated pupils.Animals usually recover.

MORNING GLORY / Convolvulus arrensis L.A creeping perennial that is widespread.Poisoning occurs in swine who were feedingon roots and rootstocks. It seems to beonly slightly poisonous.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL / Kalmia lati folia L.A broadleaf evergreen shrub growing 3'-9.Found in rock, hillside woodlands andpastures, especially in Eastern U.S.,probably used as an ornamental in the Mid-West. The poisonous compound found in theleaves is andromedotoxin. Because the landthat Mountain Laurel grows on is moresuited to sheep, there are more cases ofsheep poisonings. But cattle, horses andgoats are also susceptible. Poisoning canlead to paralysis of the limbs.

NARCISSUS, DAFFODIL / AmaryllidaceaeOrnamental perennial bulbs, common all overthe U.S. The bulbs are toxic to animals andpeople causing severe gastro-enteritis,vomiting and convulsions.


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PAWPAW / Asimina trilobaA small tree or large shrub growing in theeastern U.S. on rich soil alonp stream banks.Although the fruit is edible, susceptiblepersons have develoned a dermatitus fromhandling them.

RED MAPEE / Acer rubrumA large tree found throughout eastern NorthAmerica, this maple prefers very moist soils.Two cases of death in cattle and horses have beenreported, but further details are lacking.

RHODODENDRON, AZALEA / Rhododendron spo.Shrubs of the heath family, these Plants preferdeep acid soils, esnecially in the PacificNorthwest and eastern U.S. The toxic nrincioleappears to be andromedotoxin. Although seldomeaten by animals, poisoning has been reported insheep, causing weakness, nausea, salivation andvomiting.

RHUBARB / Rheum rhaponticumA perennial that grows to 4'. It is acultivated plant grown for its tasty stems.The leaves are poisonous, however. Theycontain soluble oxalates. Livestock,particularly sheep, are affected when theyeat large quantities. Then, staggering,prostration, coma, and death can result.

ROSARY PEA / Abrus precatoriusA twining woody stem growing to 9'. It iswidespread in the tropics, and has beenintroduced to Florida where it is grown forthe seeds which are used for rosaries.Abrin is a toxin that is concentrated inthe seed. One seed when chewed will kill aperson. Two to four oz's will kill a horse.


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SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN / Euphorbia marginataA native weed in the Mid-West south to Texasand introduced in the East as an ornamental.It is also commonly used as an ornamental inthe Mid-West. It will grow in grasslands,pastures and roadsides. The plant containsa milky acrid juice which containseuphorbon. People experience dermatitis,if there is contact with the milky sap.Animals feed on the weed which can beincluded in the hay, dried. If they feedon it long enough, they will die.

SOUR DOCK or COMMON SORRUL / Rumcx acctosaA perennial growing to 2'. It occursin meadows and pastures, particularlywith acid soil and is found worldwide. The leaves are poisonous, whichcontain soluble oxalates. Livestockand sheep are affected by this poisonwhen their diet is low in calcium.The symptons are abdominal pain,delirium, convulsions and death fromasphyxia.

WILD ONION / Allium canadenseA native of rich woodlands and pastures of theeastern U.S. Consumption or even inhalation ofthe volatile substances from the fresh topscauses a garlic odor and flavor in milk ofdairy cattle.

/ listeria floribundaA stout vine climbing by twining stems andgrowing to 30 feet. Prefers deen, moist, welldrained soil and full sun. Toxic parts includeseeds and pods which can cause stomach andintestinal disturbances, vomiting and diarrhea.


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COMMON NAME INDEX Page No.

Crocus , 168

Locust 7Heart 16

Cardinal /Lobelia 2Bet 12

Pern l7

Bur 12Bush 16

(Hooked, Swamp, Small Flower) 416

Oil Bean 17(Choke, Pin, Wild Black) 8

17(Aslike, Sweet White) 12, 3

l

Cockle lCockle l

2013

Breeches or Squirrel Corn 84

17O'clock 18

1818

lden Chain Tree 18(Poison, Water) 5 > 6

132

(English 1 77

5

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CC+fflN NAME INDEX* ^ Page No.Hydrangea 18Indian Turnip/Jack in the PulpitIris 19Jack in the Pulpit/Indian TurnipJerusalem Cherry' 19Jimsonweed 14Johnsongrass 14Kentucky Coffee TreeLantania 19LarkspurLilly of the Valley 19Lobelia/Blue Cardinal 2LocoweedLuping 20

(Red) 215

lkweed (Whorled or Horsetail)Aconite

GloryLaurel

20(Horse or Bull)

(Black and Bittersweet) 910

Paw 2i1410152

21Pea/Precatory Bean

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NAME INDEXThree Page No.

Bushes6

on the Mountain 22Dock \ 22Johnswort (Common) ; # ^of Bethlehem 2

14Snakeroot 10

Cabbage 2Onion 22

22(All Species) 11

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SCIENTIFIC NAME INDEXPage No.

precatorius 21rubrum 21

napellus 20pachypoda

spp 7githago 1

canadense 22hybridus 14

cannabinum 13isaema atrorubens 9

verticillata 3imina triloba 21

napus 2oleracea 2spp 16sativa 13scandens 8

leucanthemum 17maculata 6

autumnale 16maculatum 5

majalis 19arvensis 14

capitatus 2stramonium 14

8cucullaria 8spectabilis 16purpurea 18arvense 5hyemale 5alatus 16

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SCIENTIFIC NAME INDEXPa*e * Page NO.Eupatorium rugosum 10Euphorbia marginata 22Ginkgo biloba 18Gymnocladus dioicus 9Helenium autuonale 6Hydrangea 18Hypericum perforatum 13Ilex aquifoliua 17Iris spp 19Kalmia latifolia 20Laburnum x watereri 18Lantana camara 19Linum spp 17Lobelia siphilitica 2Lupinus spp 20irabilis jalapa 18Melilotus alba 3Narcissus poeticus 20Narcissus pseudo-narcissus 20Ornithogalua umbellatim 2Oxytropis lambertii 19Phytolacca americana 10Podophyllum peltatum 5Prunus spp 8Pteridium latiusculum 1Quercus spp 10Ranunculus spp 4Rheum rhaponticum 2Rhododendron spp 21Ricinus communis 7Robinia pseudoacacia 7Rumex crispus 22Saponaria officinalis 12Saponaria vaccaria 1Solanum carol inense 2Solanum dulcamara 9

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SCIENTIFIC NAME INDEXPage Three Page No ,So lanum nigrumSolanun pseudo-capsicumSolanum rostratumSolemn tuberosumSorghum halepense 14Sorghum vulgare sudanense , .Taxus spp 11Tri folium hybridum 12Wisteria floribunda 22Xanthium pennsyvanicum 1

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BIBLIOGRAPHY1. Agricultural Bulletin 772: Agricultural Experiment Stations of Illinois,Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio,Soutn Dakota, Wisconsin. Heeds of the North Central States . Urbana:University of Illinois Press, 1981.2. Evers, Robert A. and Link, Roger P. Poisonous Plants of the Midwest andTheir Effects on Livestock . Special Publication 24. Urbana: Universityof Illinois, 1972.3. Fowler, Murray E. Plant Poisoning in Small Companion Animals. St. Louis:Ralston Purina Co., 1981.4. Graham, Robert and Pieper, J.J. Plant Poisoning of Animals. Urbana:University of Illinois, 1936. 5. Hardin, James W. and Arena, Jay M. Human Poisoning from Native and CultivatedPlants. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1974.6. Holm, Leroy G. Plucknett, Donald L., Pancho, Juan V., and Herberger, James P.The Worlds Worst Meeds . Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1977.7. James, Wilma Roberts. Know Your Poisonour Plants . Happy Camp, California:Naturegraph Publishers, 1973.8. Kingsbury, John M. Deadly Harvest . New York: Roh, Rinehart and Winston,1965.9. Kingsbury, John M. Poisonous Plants of the United States . Englewood Cliffs,N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1964. ~

Long, Harold C. Plants Poisonous to Livestock . Cambridge: Cambridge Uni-versity Press, 1917.Muenscher, Walter C. Poisonous Plants of the United States . New York:Macilillan Co., 1939.North, Pamela M. Poisonous Plants and Fungi . London: Blandford Press, 1967.Pammel, L. H. A Manual of Poisonous Plants. Cedar Rapids: The Torch Press1911. ~~~Stephens, H.A. Poisonous Plants of the Central United States . Lawrence,Kansas . Regents Press of Kansas, 1930.Tampion, John. Dangerous Plants . New York, New York. Universe Books, 1977.Thomson, R.B. and Sifton, H.B. A Guide to the Poisonous Plants and WeedSeeds of Canada and the Northern United States . Toronto : University ofToronto Press, 1922. ~"""""

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA

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