Poisonous Plants of Colorado

1. Poisonous Plants of Colorado

2. 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

3. 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

4. Arrowgrass

5. Arrowgrass

6. Arrowgrass Perennial which resembles grass except the leaves are thicker and circular. 6-12 inches tall Stems – half round

7. Broom snakeweed

8. Broom snakeweed

9. 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

10. Chokecherry

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

12. Death camas

13. Death camas

14. 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

15. Gambel oak

16. Gambel oak Shrubs & trees are best recognized by: their fruit – the acorn Their leathery leaves with wavy margins

17. Greasewood

18. Greasewood

19. 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

20. Halogeton

21. 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

22. Horsebrush

23. Horsebrush Shrub 2 to 4 feet high Yellow flowers in spring Spiny, silvery-white leaves

24. Low larkspur

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

26. Tall larkspur

27. 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

28. Locoweed

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

30. Lupine

31. 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

32. Milkvetch

33. Milkvetch

34. 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

35. Pine Needles

36. Pine Needles A 50-150 foot tall tree Needles are usually in groups of 3 Seeds are in pine cones

37. Sneezeweed

38. Sneezeweed

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

40. Tansy ragwort

41. Tansy ragwort

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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?”

45. Arrowgrass

46. Arrowgrass

47. Broom snakeweed

48. Broom snakeweed

49. Chokecherry

50. Death camas

51. Death camas

52. Gambel oak

53. Gambel oak

54. Greasewood

55. Greasewood

56. Halogeton

57. Halogeton

58. Horsebrush

59. Horsebrush

60. Low larkspur

61. Tall larkspur

62. Locoweed

63. Locoweed

64. Lupine

65. Milkvetch

66. Milkvetch

67. Pine Needles

68. Sneezeweed

69. Sneezeweed

70. Tansy ragwort

71. Tansy ragwort