livestock hazard – Forage Me Not

Published September 22, 2016

Rhododendron

Common name: Rhododendron

Scientific name: Rhododendron spp., plus many cultivars

Hazard associated: All parts are poisonous if ingested.

Notes:

Commonly planted in gardens for its showy blooms which range from white through pinks to deep reddish hues.
Azaleas are closely related to rhododendrons and are also toxic if ingested.
While Rhododendrons have been used for making tea and in traditional medicine, there is no safety guidelines as toxicity varies across/within species and localities.
The compounds primarily responsible for these plants’ toxicity are called grayanotoxins. Other problematic compouns include tannins.
People have reportedly died from eating honey from bees feeding on rhododendron nectar.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron

Image credits:

By Kurt Stüber [1] – caliban.mpiz-koeln.mpg.de/mavica/index.html part of www.biolib.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7737
By TriviaKing at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17928714

Published August 23, 2016

Hydrangea

Common name: Hydrangea

Scientific name: Hydrangea macrophylla and other Hydrangea spp.

Hazard associated: The plant contains toxic compounds which would be dangerous if ingested. There is also mounting evidence linking hydrangeas to contact dermatitis.

Notes:

Hydrangeas are mostly shrubs and are commonly planted in gardens for their large showy flower heads.
Their compound flowers may be white, pink or blue depending on the pH of the soil in which they are growing.
Hydrangeas contain a compound called hydrangin ( a cyanogenic glycoside) which is capable of causing serious damage if ingested. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pains, diarrhea, labored breathing, lethargy and coma.
Poses a threat to pets. Children may be tempted to make tea or “magic potions” with the flowers/flower buds.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrangea

Image credits

2. By Joanne Bergenwall Aw – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6988647

Published July 26, 2016

Lantana

Common name: Lantana, wild sage

Scientific name: Lantana species, Lantana camara is the most commonly encountered

Hazard associated: Leaves and fruit poisonous if ingested.

Notes:

Members of the verbena family.
Lantanas are grown in gardens for their attractive often multi-hued flowers. They are also grown to attract insects such as bees and butterflies.
The berries formed from the flowers are initially green, turning black when ripe.
Dogs have been known to be poisoned by eating the leaves, and the berries may be attractive to children.
They are regarded as an invasive weed in many parts of the tropical and temperate zones.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantana

Image credits:

By そらみみ – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50255193

By Vengolis – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50091176

Published September 15, 2015

Ivy

Common name: Ivy

Scientific name: Hedera helix, other Hedera species

Hazard associated: Irritant to the skin and corrosive if ingested.

Notes:

Ivy is commonly found in gardens even when not planted there, i.e. it is an invasive weed in many situations.
Some varieties have variegated leaves.
The reaction to ivy sap varies from person to person.
The berries may look attractive to children although the taste is reported to be very unpleasant.
Ivy extract has been used medically in measured doses as a decongestant.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_helix

Image credits:

“Hedera helix1” by Petr Filippov – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hedera_helix1.JPG#/media/File:Hedera_helix1.JPG