Poisonous plants

of regional importance
Poisonous plants -
 Poisonous as such : containing toxic
substances – phytotoxins- toxic to the
animals
 Not toxic as such ; become toxic under
unfavourable conditions to the animal-
season, stage of the plant growth, hunger,
management , practices
Phytotoxins-toxic principles present in the
plant
Predisposition
 Fodder scarcity
 New areas
 Loss of sense of discrimination
 Malicious poisonong
 Lack of information/knowledge
 Classification
Organic phytotoxins
by-products of plant metabolism. Eg:
alkaloids , glycosides,essential oils,
terpenes, proteins, and resins etc.
Inorganic phytotoxins
fluorides, nitrates and selenium compounds
merely accumulate in the plant due to their
translocation from the soil and water rich in
these substances.
 Factors affecting the phytotoxicity
 Region/place
 Stage of growth
 Part of the plant
 Quantity ingested
 Climate
 Soil composition
 Size
 Age
 Sex
 Prevailing health/ nutritional status of the animal
 Management practices- use of fertilizers etc
 Clinical condition
Acute
 Gastrointestinal and nervous signs predominant.
Off-feed, colic, bloat, diarrhoea mixed with blood and
mucous, salivation,
 CNS signs - convulsions, paralysis , coma , death
Chronic
 Not fatal, affects the economy of farmer
 Fall in production and fertility of animals.
 Allergic dermatitis, photosensitisation,
 Haemoglobinuria and agalactia
Diagnosis
 History and Information on feeding practices
 Survey of the grazing area and farm premises
 Symptoms, botanical and toxicological
 Analysis of hay, forage, silage or suspected plant
material.
Materials to be sent to the lab
 Fresh plant material
 Whole fresh plant if it is small, Leafy branch with flowers
 In case of large plants and trees- uncrushed bulky parts-
root, fruits in a plastic bag
 Dried plant material
 in a rigid cardboard box taking care not to break
branches/detach leaves
Treatment
 Adsorbents like charcoal, raw white of an egg
orally
 Antiserum (if the causative phytotoxin is
specifically known)
 Specific antidotes whenever available
 Symptomatic treatment- administration of
astringents, antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, fluid
therapy, liver tonics, etc.
Prevention
• Drying of plants
• Caution while stall-feeding
• Manual removal of poisonous plants and weeds
from the farm premises
Abrus precatorius
(Gulaganji)

 Abrin
 Intensive irritation, inflammation,
oedema, ecchymoses,
 Necrosis at the site of
introduction.Anorexia, salivation,
inco-ordination,muscular spasms
 Convulsions. Death in2-3 days.
Rx:
 Actd Charcoal
 Demulcents
 Saline purgatives
 Fluid therapy
Abrus precatorius
(Gulaganji)
Adhatoda vasica ( aadu muttada gida,
aadu sokada gida)

 Vasicine
 Persistent Bronchodilation
 Hypotension, uterotonic-
abortifacient
 Cardiac depression
Rx
 Symptomatic
Allium cepa Onion

 N-propyl disulfide
 Haemoglobinuria. Anaemia.
 In extreme cases onion
odour in urine and tissues.
(diagnostic feature)
Rx
Symptomatic
Areca catechu betel-nut palm

 Arecoline
 Emesis, exaggerated
catharsis
 Colic, diarrhea,
restlessness
 Convulsions
Rx
 Atropine sulphate
0.044mg/kg BW
Argemone mexicana( arasina datturi)

 Sanguinarine
 Glaucoma
 Ascites
Rx
 Diuretics
 supportive therapy
Datura stramonium (Thorn apple)

• Atropine hyoscine and hyoscyamine

• Solanine, solanidine, tropeine
• Mydriasis, cycloplegia (impaired vision)
• Anorexia, muscular spasms, dryness of
mouth, tachycardia,
• Respiratory depression and nervous
symptoms.
• Rx
• Emetics – to empty stomach contents.
• Mild cholinergics
• Sedatives / hypotics to control nervous
signs.
• Medullary stimulatnts
Solanum nigrum (kempu kachi,
karikachi gida)
black night shade
 Atropine hyoscine and hyoscyamine
 Solanine, solanidine, tropeine
 Mydriasis, cycloplegia (impaired
vision)
 anorexia, muscular spasms, dryness
of mouth, tachycardia, r
 Respiratory depression and nervous
signs.
Rx
 Emetics
 Mild cholinergics
 Sedatives / hypotics to control
nervous signs.
 Medullary stimulatnts
Brassica nigra ( saasive)

• Sinigrin
 Acute gastroenteritis
 Colic,dyspnoea
Rx
 symptomatic
Calotropis gigantica, Calotropis procera 
(Arka, ekka, bili ekka)

• Gigantin (a glycoside)
 Glycoside (digitalis like action on
heart)
 Gastro intestinal upset, loose stool,
 Vomition
 cardiac arrhythmia
Rx
 Rest
 Anti arrhythmics like Phenytion,
Lignocane, Propanol,
 Potassium chloride 0.6-1mg orally
followed by 0.3-0.5g (Dogs) in every
2hrs.
Capsicum annuum Chili pepper

 Capsaicin
 GI irritant -vomiting and
diarrhea.
 Not likely to be lethal.
Rx
 Symptomatic; irritation relief
—cool water irrigation,
 Topical or oral mineral or
vegetable oil.
 Topical anesthetics.
Cassia tora
(chagate, thagate)

 anthraquinone,
flavonoids,
glucosides
 CNS depression
 severe diarrhoea
Rx
 Symptomatic
Crotolaria juncea (jute; janumu)
pundinaru, senabu)

 Monocrotaline
 Related pyrrolizidine
alkaloids in seeds
 Bloody faeces, salivation
 nasal discharge,
jaundice,
 Dyspnoea and colic.
Rx
 Symptomatic
Croton tiglium ( Nervala, nepala)

 Crotonalic acid
 Tiglicacid
 Nausea,tympanitis, colic
and diarrhoea
Rx
 Symptomatic
 Demulcents.
 Astringents
 Antimotility agents like
Loperamide
Equisetum arvense
horse tail (kudure bala)

 Thiaminase
 Excitement,
 Nervous signs, nystagmus,
opisthotonus
 Weakness, diarrhea,
crouching stance
Rx
 Thiamine parenterally (Large
animals 100mg-1g, Small
animals 5-10g
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern

 Thiaminase
 Excitement,
 Nervous signs, nystagmus,
opisthotonus
 Weakness, diarrhea,
crouching stance
Rx
 Thiamine parenterally
(Large animals 100mg-1g,
Small animals 5-10g
Eupatorium odoratum
( communist gida)

 Sterols
 Flavones
 Nephrotoxic
 Hepatotoxic sign
Rx
 Saline purgatives
 Fluid therapy
 Demulcents
 Hepatic stimulants
Gossypium herbaceum
cotton

 Gossypol
 Cardiac myopathy
 Hepatic necrosis.
 Anorexia, dyspnoea and
weakness
 Haematuria.
Rx
 Symptomatic
 Prevention by cooking or by
addition of 1% CaOH. or
0.1% ferrous sulfate
Ipomoea carnea(chandrakai balli)

 Ipomeanols.
 toxic saponin
 Photosensitive principle in
leaves.
 Pulmonary emphysema and
oedema.
 Lysis of RBC, anaemia and
lumbar paralysis in S&G.
 Hepatic derangement
Rx
 B-complex vit
 . Nervine tonics lipotropics &
haematinics.
Jatropha curcas
( visha haralu, adalu haralu,
kadu jadalu)

 Curcin
 Drastic purgation,
 Nausea, vomition,
Rx
 Sedation
 Symptomatic
Lathyrus odorata
sweet pea (perangi jali)

 Betaine ( β-aminopropio nitrite

lathyrine)
 Leg weekness leading to
paralysis (Neuro-osteo-angio
lathyrism)
 rapid, irregular pulse
 resp distress
Rx
 Symptomatic treatment,
 calcium supplementation
 Meliotus sp.
( kadu lucerna soppu)
sweet clover

 Dicumarol
 Extensive sub-cultaneous
haemorrhages
 , impaired clotting
Rx
 Symptomatic treatment,
 calcium supplementation
 Nicotiana tabaccum
Tobacco( thambaku, hogesoppu)

 Nicotine
Clonic-tonic convulsions
Depression,
OPC poisoning like symptoms
Rx
Oxygen therapy
Caffeine
Symptomatic
Nicoiiana tabaccum
Tobacco( thambaku)
 Lobelia inflata (Kaduhogesoppu)

 Nicotine like – lobeline

• Salivation, vom, diarrhoea, mydriais
Rx
• Atropine sulphate
• Saline laxatives
• Mineral oil
 Lobelia Sp.
Lobelia inflata (Kaduhogesoppu)
Parmetia perlata. ground lichen
(kallu hoovu)

 Usnic acid
 Incordination,
 depression, paralysis
Rx
 Symptomatic
Ricinus communis Castor plant
(Haralu, joudla)

 Ricin
 Latent period of 2-3 days
 Bloody diarrhea in cattle.
 Horses -tumultous heart beat
Rx
 Specific AS in endemic areas
 Sedatives,Shock therapy.
Prevention
 Upon boiling the cake, ricin
coagulates.
Robinia pseudoacasia
( parthanga, belangi)

 Tannins
 Colic,
 Neurosis
Rx
 Symptomatic
 Sesbania grandiflora
coffee weed( agase, parivala arisina
geenangi, kadu jogache)

 Saponine
 Severe colic
 Depression, salivation
Rx
 Symptomatic
Strychnos nuxvomica (Kasaraka)

 Strychnine and brucine

 Spinal convulsions.
 Muscular spasms,
 opisthotonus, dilated pupil,
 asphyxia, paralysis of respiratory
muscles.
Rx
 Sedatives ,hypnotics
anticonvulsants
 .Gastric lavage with dil.
 KMnO4/ Tannic acid. [KMnO4-
oxidises. Tannic acid-
precipitates.]
Thevetia peruviana yellow oleander
(kanigilu, kadu kasi)

 Thevetin
 cardiac glycosides
 Toxic to heart
 Violent vomition, diarrhoea,
ruminal atony and bloat, colic,
cardiac arrhythmias
 convulsions.
Rx
 Symptomatic.
 Atropine 0.5 mg /kg. i/v. along
with propranolol 5 mg/kg. i/v.
 Withania somnifera
( ashwagandha, sogade beru)

 Withaferine
 CNS depression signs
Rx
 symptomatic
 Nerium oleander(Kanigile, kasturi jaji )

 Oleandroside
 Nerioside, nerin in leaves, pods and fruit
Violent vomition, diarrhoea
ruminal atony and bloat,
 colic, cardiac arrhythmias
convulsions.
Rx
Symptomatic.
 Atropine 0.5 mg /kg. i/v. along with propranolol
5 mg/kg. i/v.
Nerium oleander(Kanigile, kasturi jaji )

Nerium indicum
 Solanum tuberosum
Potato (aalu gadde)
 L-chalconine, solanidine,
solanicin, solanine
Severe colic, salivation, depression, trembling,
paralysis,
Coma
Rx
Gastric lavage
 demulcents
symptomatic treatment
Senecio vulgaris
( kadu gochhi gida)

 Pyrrolyzidine alkaloids
-senecionine,
seneciphylline, retrorsine,
riddelline- hepatotoxic.
 Colic, diarrhoea,
 Ascites, straining
Rx
 symptomatic
Anamirta cocculus
indian berry, fish berry
( chippalka balli)

 Berberine, monoterpene
 picrotoxin
 nervous signs
 Salivation, dyspnoea,
palpitation
Rx
 Symptomatic
Rhododendron spp.

 Grayanotoxins (glycosides) which

affect the gastroenteric (stomach and
intestines) and cardiovascular
systems.
• Salivation, vomition, diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• Tremors,, abnormal heart rate and
rhythm, convulsions, coma, death.
Rx
• symptomatic
Prevention:
• Keep hungry livestock away from
areas where these plants grow.
• Pets may nibble or taste the leaves
out of curiosity or boredom,
• Honey made from the nectar of these
flowers is also toxic
Astragalus spp
loco weed

 Loconine
• Severe panting
• dyspnoea
• excitement,
• paralysis
Rx
• symptomatic
Plants producing oxalate
poisoning
 Beta vulgaris,( beet root)
 Amaranthus viridis( kere soppu, daggi soppu)
 Chenopodium albua( bele soppu, chakravarti soppu, huli
chikka)
 Solanum spp., [night shade]
 Trianthema species
 Oxalis spp
 Calandrinia
 Atriplex species
 Vomiting, depression,
 ataxia,weakness, dehydration,renal failure-hematuria/anuria,
 Coma
Rx
 Anti emetics,anti histaminics
 gastric lavage with 5% soda bicarb solution,
 lime water, dicalcium PO4 in feed
 Amaranthus viridis
( kere soppu, daggisoppu)
 Chenopodium albua
( belesoppu, chakravarti soppu, huli chikka)
Trianthema species
(seeme bellulli
Atriplex species
 PLANTS producing
PHOTOSENSITISATION
 Parthenium hysterophorus
(Congress gida)

 Histaminergic/ allergic.
 Photosensitisation.
 rash, swelling on face, dewlap, neck and various
parts of body.
 Intense itching,animal rubs against hard objects
causing open wounds.
Rx
 Anti-histaminics.
 Removal to a safer place.
 Antibiotics
 .Corticosteroids.
 Hypericum perforatum ( chinnadavare)

 Hypericin
 photosensitisation.
 redness, swelling, serous fluid oozing fromskin surfaces,
 oedema and sloughing of skin.
 Intense itching causing tissue injury and secondary
bacterial infection.
 Eartip, nose muzzle,udder, teats
 Conjunctivitis , liver damage
Rx
 keep under shade,
 topical demulcent, antibiotics, corticosteroids
 antihistamines, antibiotics, DNS,
 saline purgatives
 liver tonics
Parthenium hysterophorus(Congress gida)

Hypericum perforatum ( chinnadavare)

 Fagopyrum esculentum( Kadu godhi)

 Fagopyrin
 photosensitisation.
 redness, swelling, serous fluid oozing fromskin surfaces,
 oedema and sloughing of skin.
 Intense itching causing tissue injury and secondary bacterial
infection.
 Eartip, nose muzzle,udder, teats
 Conjunctivitis , liver damage
Rx
 keep under shade,
 topical demulcent, antibiotics, corticosteroids
 antihistamines, antibiotics, DNS,
 saline purgatives
 liver tonics
Fagopyrum esculentum
( Kadu godhi)
 Lantana camara (Madarangi gida)

 Lantadene
Hepatogenous photosensitisation.
Nephropathy
Cardiac myopathy
Rx
Antihistaminics
Topical demulcent ointments
Liver tonics.
Keep animals in doors
Lantana camara
(Madarangi gida)
Tribulus terrestris ( negilu mullu)

 saponins
 Hepatotoxic
photosensitisation.
Medicago sativa Alfalfa, lucerne
( kudure masale)

 Saponins
 Hepatotoxic
photosensitisation
MIMOSINE RICH PLANTS
Leucaena leucocephala (Subabul)

 Mimosine- antimitotic,
goitrogen, depilatory agent.
 Alopecia ,Anorexia, salivation,
 vomition, inco-ordination
 BW loss
 Mucosal ulceration, ear and
eye lesions, scaly skin.
Rx
 Supplement with L-
phenylalanine and L – tyrosine.
 Treat leucaena meal with 0.05 N
sod. acetate.
 Mimosa pudica
Touch me not plant
( Muttidare muni, nachike mullu)

 Mimosine- antimitotic, goitrogen, depilatory agent.

 Alopecia ,Anorexia, salivation,
 vomition, inco-ordination
 BW loss
 Mucosal ulceration, ear and eye lesions, scaly skin.
Rx
 symptomatic
 Mimosa pudica
( Muttidare muni, nachike mullu)
 Mimosa pudica
Touch me not plant
( Muttidare muni, nachike mullu)

 Mimosine- antimitotic, goitrogen,

depilatory agent.
 Alopecia ,Anorexia, salivation,
 vomition, inco-ordination
 BW loss
 Mucosal ulceration, ear and eye
lesions, scaly skin.
Rx
 symptomatic
Cyanogenetic Plants
Grasses such as sudan grass, johnson grass, arrow
grass ,
Plants
• Acacia leucophloea (bili jali), Lotus sp.
• Euphorbia species, Sugarcane leaves, tops
• Saccharum officinarum sugarcane (kabbu),
• Sorghum vulgare (kempu jola, sakre jola, neerjola),
• Zea mays ( mekke jola, musukina jola, haladi jola
• Mannihot esculenta Tapiocia ( mara genasu)
• Hevea braziliensis(rubber), Prunus sp
• Bambusa bambos( bidiru)
• Mimosa invisa( mullu illada nachike)
Clinical signs -Anxiety, panting, salivation, tremors,
lacrimination, urination, defecation, severe colic
emesis, prostration, bright red mucus membranes,
clonic convulsions Mydriasis.
Rx
• Inhalation of 5-8 drops of Amyl nitrate
• NaNO2 5mg/kg BW as slow IV( Excess of
Sodium nitrite causes methaemoglobin
that is fatal),
• Na thio SO4 600mg/kg BW as slow IV
(20% solution 4-80ml),
• 4 L vinegar in 12 - 20L cold water to dilute/
cool / acidify rumen contents to inhibit
microbial hydrolysis.
• Mineral oil to soothe G.I linings.
Acacia leucophloea
(bili jali)
Bambusa bambos
(bidiru)
 Sorghum vulgare Sorghum
( kempu jola, sakre jola)

 Lathyrogenic
 nitrite rich
Leg weakness leading to paralysis
(Neuro-osteo, angio lathyrism)
Rx
ymptomatic treatment,
calcium, supplementation
 Sorghum vulgare
(kempu jola, sakre jola, neerjola)
 Ficus tsjahela
( kari, basari soppu)
 Mannihot esculenta
Tapiocia ( mara genasu),
 Mimosa invisa
( mullu illada nachike)
Hevea braziliensis
(rubber)
Nitrate/Nitrite accumulating plants
Crop sources:
a) Oats - Avena sativa( seeme oats, seeme thoke
godhi) especially if green hay or green chop and left
on the wagon overnight before feeding. The forage
heats up and converts nitrate to nitrite before it is
eaten. Oats are no longer toxic after the grain forms.
b) wheat - Triticum aestivum
c) barley - Hordeum vulgare
d) Corn - Zea mays
e) rye - Secale cereale
f) Beta vulgaris
g) rape - Brassica napus
h) soybeans - Glycine max
i) Flax- Linum usitatissimum
j) alfalfa - Medicago sativa
k) Sudan grass- Sorghum vulgare.-
Acute toxicity
 Digestive symptoms –vomition, diarrhoea, colic and
frequent urination
 Respiratory symptoms like dyspnoea, cyanosis, rapid
& weak pulse
 weakness, trembling, collapse, coma, terminal clonic
convulsions and death
Chronic toxicity
 Anorexia, decreased body weight gain,
 reduced milk production, weakness,
 abortions, birth of weak & stunted calves
 , poor conception rate,
 hypovitaminosis of A, D, E
 thyroid dysfunction .
Treatment:
 Methylene blue 1% w/v solution, @ 8.8 mg/Kg body
wt. slow I/V.for cattle and sheep. In other species the
dosage is 4.4 mg/Kg body wt. slow I/V. Repeat after
30 min. if symptoms persist.
 Saline purgatives
 Broad-spectrum antibiotics in 8-19 L cold water to
inhibit microbial conversion of nitrate to nitrite.
For chronic toxicity
o Eliminating the source
o Supplementation with vit. A D & E.
o For prevention, indiscriminate use of nitrogenous
fertilisers like urea to forage crops to be avoided
 Avena sativa
( seeme oats, seeme thoke godhi)
Hordeum vulgare
(barley)
Brassica napus
(rape)
Linum usitatissimum
( linseed)