Poisonous or toxic plants can pose an economic loss to livestock. Understanding the effects, identifying the threat, and effectively removing poisonous plants can offer the best success to warding off costly issues. Below you will find information on poisonous plant families pertaining to livestock and humans. Plants usually have different levels of toxicity during different stages of their growth, although some are toxic in all stages. Poisoning can have varied effects depending on the species and weight of the animals, along with the quantities and duration of consumption. Many species of thistle and other plants with spines, although not toxic, can cause sores in grazing animals' mouths, or eyes, causing discomfort, potential for infection, and loss of appetite. If you need any assistance in exterminating these pests please contact us.
Oblong Spurge
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Multiple species in this family, all of which have a milky sap that is toxic to humans and livestock. It can be planted ornamentally to reduce the presence of gophers. All parts of the plant are toxic to livestock and humans.
☢️ Toxin: cytotoxic compounds, and ingenanes.
The milky sap found within can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, and digestive tract issues including but not limited to irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Mature plants contain the highest quantities of toxin.
Spotted Spurge
Turkey Mullein
Leafy Spurge
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Multiple species in this family. Toxic to cattle, horses, and sheep. Livestock must consume large quantities of fresh plant matter followed by vigorous exercise.
☢️ Toxin: nitrates and unknown.
Symptoms include: sluggishness, trembling, stiffness, digestive irritation, collapse, and occasionally death. Poultry that consume foliage or seeds can produce lower quality eggs with degraded membranes leaving pink egg whites.
Cheeseweed or little mallow
Cornish Mallow
Cheeseweed or Little Mallow
Alkali mallow
Hairy Nightshade
Silverleaf Nightshade
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Fresh and dried plant material is toxic to humans and livestock. Sheep and goats are more resistant to the toxins opposed to cattle and horses. Toxicity varies depending on plant species, growth stage, plant population, and environmental conditions. Seedlings and ripe berries are less toxic than mature foliage and green berries.
☢️ Toxin: glycoalkaloids, solanine, and salasodine.
Symptoms include: gastrointestinal irritation, apathy, drowsiness, salivation, trembling, breathing difficulties, progressive weakness, paralysis, and lack of consciousness. Prolonged consumption can lead to appetite loss, emaciation, rough coat, constipation, dropsy (ascites), and in some cases death. Plants in this family carry diseases that can spread to potato species and tomatoes.
Black or Hairy Nightshade
Black Nightshade
Buttercup
Chokecherry
Horsetail
Western Hemlock
Big Periwinkle
Russian Knapweed
Common Crupina
Houndstongue
Heliotrope
Fixweed
Halogeton
Western Brackenfern
Castorbean
Deathcamas
Larkspur
Roughseed Buttercup
Cutleaf Groundcherry
Horsenettle
African Rue
Field Horsetail
Scouringrush
Foxglove