Red Clover

• Description: purplish red clover head, hairy stem, 3 leaved segments, pale ring on leaves

• Poisonous parts: all• Found: all over US,

in fields

• Signs of poisoning:– Excessive

salivation– Bloating– Diarrhea– Blindness– Abortion– Laminitis

Jimsonweed• Description: can

grow up to 5’ tall, large toothed leaves, white to light violet trumpet shaped flowers, 2” spiny seed pods

• Poisonous Parts: flowers, leaves, seeds

• Found: All over US, common in fields

• Horses will only eat if other food is not available

• Scientific Name: Datura spp.

• Other Names: Devils Trumpet, Angels Trumpet

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Jimsonweed

• Flowers smell sweet, but otherwise plant has bad odor

• Many black seeds inside spiny seed pod

http://www.fcps.edu/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/jimsonweed.htm

JimsonweedSigns of Poisoning:• Excitement, then

sudden depression• Colic• Diarrhea• Low temp• Extreme thirst• Dilated pupils• Convulsions• Coma• Paralysis• Respiratory paralysis

results in death

http://www.fcps.edu/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/jimsonweed.htm

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DAST&photoID=dast_003_ahp.jpg

Poison Hemlock

• Scientific Name: Conium maculatum

• Description: grows up to 10’ tall, green stem with purple spots, lacy triangiular leaves, musky odor, small white flowers clustered with a flat top

• Poisonous Parts: all• Found: all over US, field

edges and roadsides• Horses can find texture

palatable

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/conium.html

Poison HemlockSigns of Poisoning:• Bloating• Cold extremities• Dilated pupils• Weak heart beat• Trembling• Paralysis• Coma• Respiratory paralysis

results in deathhttp://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/plant28.htm

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COMA2&photoID=coma2_2v.jpg

Yellow Star Thistle

• Scientific Name: Centaurea solstitialis

• Description: grows up to 2’ tall, bright yellow flowers with a spiny base, leaves covered in cottony hair

• Poisonous parts: all• Found: NOT in MI,

found in southern & western US, in fields, pastures, & roadsides

• Poisoning usually occurs in fall when horses may acquire a taste for the plant and seek it out

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Yellow Star ThistleSigns of Poisoning:• “Chewing Disease”

– Involuntary chewing– Lip twitching– Swelling around the mouth

• Facial muscle paralysis– Unable to chew or close

mouth

• Death eventually occurs from starvation and dehydration

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESO3

http://kaweahoaks.com/html/yellow_starthistle.html

Foxglove

• Scientific Name: Digitalis purpurea • Description: purple, pink, red or

white tubular flowers with dark spots, flowers open downward, leaves are alternate, hairy and slightly toothed

• Poisonous Parts: flowers, leaves, seeds

• Found: all over US, often in flower gardens

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Foxglove

Signs of poisoning:

• Colic

• Bloody feces

• Poor appetite

• Pain

• Frequent urination

• Irregular heartbeat

• Possible convulsions prior to deathOne bite is fatal

http://www.freefoto.com/preview.jsp?id=12-57-51&k=Foxglove+-+Digitalis

Poinsettia

• Description: upper leaves turn red, pink or white in late fall,

• Poisonous parts: leaves, stems and sap

• Found: all over US as a holiday ornamental plant, native to Mexico

• Scientific Name: Euphorbia pulcherrima

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Poinsetta

Signs of poisoning:

• Skin– Redness and swelling  – Blistering

• Gastrointestinal– Stomach pain – Diarrhea

•Poinsettas have low toxicity

http://www.schaefergreenhouses.com/poinsettia.html

http://www.schaefergreenhouses.com/poinsettia.html

Oak Tree

• Poisonous Parts: acorns, young leaves

• Found: all over US• Signs of poisoning:

– Bloody diarrhea– Abdominal pain– Kidney & liver damage– Frequent urination– Thirst– Anorexia

• Signs of toxicity occur when large amount are ingested

• Symptoms may last 3-10 days

• Death occurs with 85% of horses showing signs

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

OleanderDescription: • Woody evergreen bush,

grows up to 30’ tall• Leaves

– leathery & pointed leaves– grow opposite each other

in groups of 3

– arranged in whorls • Flowers

– grow in clusters at the ends of branches

– white, pink, purplish, red

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Oleander

•Takes only 1 ounce of leaves to kill a horse

http://vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/color52.htm

OleanderSigns of Poisoning:• Diarrhea• Trembling• Cold extremities• Paralysis• Coma• Cardiac arrest

followed by death

• Scientific Name: Nerium oleander

• Poisonous Parts: all (do NOT burn—smoke is also toxic)

• Found: NOT in MI, found in southern US & on the west coast

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleander

Rhododendron• Description:

Great Laurel is an evergreen tree that grows up to 35’ tall, it has 4-10” oblong alternating leaves, mixed pink and white or various single colored flowers are arranged in clusters

White-flowered rhododendron is a 3-6’ shrub with smaller leaves and flowers than the Great Laurel

• Other Names: Great Laurel, White-flowered Rhododendron

• Poisonous parts: all

http://www.monmouth.com/~asalerno/tony/house/rhodadendrons.html

RhododendronFound: in wet wooded areas in eastern US, only white-

flowered rhododendron is seen in mountainous areas of US

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/image/60478206

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/gardens

Rhododendron Signs of poisoning:• Kidney or liver damage• Repeated

swallowing• Salivation• Depression• Bloating• Colic signs• Weakness• Coma• Death

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/gardens

Rhubarb

• Signs of Poisoning:– Weakness, – Difficulty breathing– Abdominal pain– Diarrhea– Convulsions– Coma– Death from

cardiovascular collapse

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Poisonous Parts: leaves

Horsetail• Description:

grows up to 3’ tall, segmented hollow stem has many whorls of thin grass-like leaves,

• Poisonous parts:• Found: worldwide• Toxicity higher in

green plants • Scientific Name:

Equisetum arvense

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

http://www.traderscreek.com/Survival_Guide/Edible_Plants/horsetail.asp

Horsetail

Signs of Poisoning:• Trembling• Muscular rigidity• Diarrhea• Rapid pulse• Cold extremities• Coma and death if

feed source is not removed

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

**Horses must consume plant over a 2 week period—sometimes plant is in hay

Bracken Fern

• Description: dark stem, segments of leaves in triangular shape, leaves are firm & leathery

• Poisonous Parts: all• Found: worldwide in

most forested areas• Horses rarely eat this

plant unless no other food is available

• Scientific Name: Pteridium aquilinium

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Bracken Fern

Signs of poisoning:• Loss of coordination• Depression• Blindness• Stand in braced

position with legs apart

• Death may occur if horse not removed from source of plant

• Horses must eat plant for a month to see toxicity signs

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/bracken_fern.htm

Pokeweed

• Description: grows up to 6-9’ tall, red purplish woody stalk, 5-10” alternating leaves, shiny purple to black berries mature July-Sept

• Poisonous Parts: all

• Found: in eastern 2/3 of US

• Scientific Name: Phytolacca americana

PokeweedSigns of Poisoning:

• Salivation

• Colic

• Muscular weakness

• Diarrhea (often bloody)

• Respiratory failure, anemia & gastritis are severe symptoms

• Moderate quantities of the plant must be consumed to show signs

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ecoph24.htm

Black Nightshade• Scientific Name: Solanum spp.

• Description: maximum of 3’ tall, pointed oval leaves that are purplish on underside, white to light purple star shaped flowers, bloom year round, small shiny black berries

• Poisonous Parts: leaves, immature fruit

• Found: all over US, common along fence rows

Black Nightshade

Signs of poisoning:

• Signs of neurological & gastrointestinal disorders

• Tiredness

• Muscle twitching

• Bloating

• Congestion in the lungs, heart & spleen

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Choke Cherry• Scientific Name: Prunus

spp. • Other Names: Wild

Cherries, Black Cherry, Bitter Cherry, Choke Cherry, Pin Cherry

• Description: tree grows up to 30’ tall, bark is reddish brown, simple alternating oblong leaves, bloom white or pink cones of flowers April to July, red to black cherries ripen July to Sept.

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Choke Cherry

• Poisonous Parts: seeds & leaves

• Found: all over US

http://web.mit.edu/cfox/www/flowers/2003-05-31/2141_Med.jpg.2.html

Choke Cherry

Signs of poisoning:• Bright red mucus

membranes• Slobbering• Increased respiration• Weak pulse• Convulsions• Rapid Death

http://www.borealforest.org/shrubs/shrub31.htm

Red Maple• Poisonous parts:

wilted or dried leaves, bark

• Found: eastern half of US

• Signs of poisoning:– Severe anemia– Weakness– Depression– Pale mucus membranes– Dark brown urine– Abortion– Death due to RBC unable to

transport oxygen to tissueshttp://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/red_maple.htm

Milk Weed

• Description: grows to 3’ tall, thick green stem and leaves, oblong leaves, teardrop shaped seed pods filled with silky white hairs, small light pink flowers in clusters

• Poisonous Parts: all• Found: all over US,

in fields

Milkweed

• Signs of poisoning:• Bloating• Staggering• Rapid pulse• Gastroenteritis• Depression• Weakness• High Temp• Seizures

•Labored Breathing may

occur before death

Ornamental Yew

• Description: evergreen shrub, short spiny needles, reddish brown bark, bright red berries in fall

• Poisonous Parts: leaves, seeds, twigs

• Found: all over US, often used as ornamental shrub

• Scientific Name: Taxus cuspidata

• Other Names: Ground Hemlock

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Ornamental Yew

• Signs of poisoning:• Nervousness• Confusion• Diarrhea• Heart will slow and

circulation fails• Death is the usual

outcome

• One bite is deadly• Horse might collapse

right next to plant after eating it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus_baccata

http://ontariotrees.com/main/species.php?id=2093

Black Walnut Tree

• Description: compound leaves arranged opposite of each other, tennis ball size green fruits, dark grayish black bark

• Poisonous parts: bark

• Found: eastern & Midwestern US

• Horses are affected when shavings from the tree are used as bedding

• Allergic reaction to standing or laying in bedding– Swelling of the legs– Laminitis

Black Walnut Tree

Ragworts OR Groundsel• Poisonous Parts:

leaves• Found: NOT in MI,

found in dry areas of US

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/horselist.html

Vetch

• Common Name: Common Vetch, Hairy Vetch, Narrow leaved Vetch, Purple Vetch and Broad Beans

• Poisonous Parts: seeds