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Home , Aconitum, Baccharis pteronioides, Bassia hyssopifolia, Bluebonnet (plant), Helenium microcephalum, Lactuca serriola

An Annotated Checklist of Poisonous or Injurious Range of

Circular 636 Kelly W. Allred1 Cooperative Extension Service • College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

This publication is scheduled to be updated and reissued 02/15.

Introduction 6. Use control measures—, grubbing, etc. Poisonous plants represent one of the greatest haz- —on heavy infestations of toxic plants. ards to livestock ranching on western rangelands. In addition to direct losses by death, there are those due The most common toxins in New Mexico poi- to weight loss, poor reproductive performance, and sonous plants are alkaloids, glycosides, minerals, poor health. Through scientific reports and practical nitrogenous compounds, oxalates and other organic experience, ranch managers have learned to recog- acids, compounds causing photosensitivity, and res- nize poisonous plants and keep livestock losses to a ins or resinoids (see Tables 1 and 2). minimum. Some of the things that can be done to prevent problems with poisonous plants are Alkaloids. These are the most powerful and produce strong physiological reactions, general- 1. Know the poisonous plants. This is the first line ly affecting the nervous system. The alkaloid is usu- of defense against toxic plants. ally distributed throughout the and is active whether it is fresh or dry. There are no for 2. Practice good range management. To a limited alkaloid poisoning. Some of the common alkaloid- degree, poisonous plants will always be present containing range plants are locoweeds (Astragalus on rangelands, but the real danger is when the spp.), larkspur ( spp.), groundsel (Sene- plants are eaten. Livestock poisoning is more of- cio spp.), and lupine ( spp.). ten the result of poor range condition and poor management than the presence of poisonous Glycosides. Glycosides are compounds com- plants. Most poisonous plants are unpalatable posed of a toxic agent combined with a sugar. The and will be eaten only if other good quality for- toxic agent is harmful when released from the gly- age is not available. cosides. Cyanide (HCN, prussic acid) is the most common toxin in the glycosides. Glycoside levels in 3. Feed adequate mineral and vitamin A supple- the plant are often related to environmental factors ments. Livestock in poor health are more suscep- such as freezing, wilting, drought, and crushing. tible to many toxins than are healthy animals. Cyanide is generally not retained in plant tissues after drying. Catclaw (Acacia greggii), chokecherry 4. Provide adequate forage, especially during early (Prunus virginiana), and johnsongrass (Sorghum spring or drought periods. halepense) are potential cyanide producers.

5. Avoid driving livestock through infested or poor Minerals. Excessive absorption of certain miner- condition range. Hungry animals lose their se- als may be dangerous to livestock. Selenium is pos- lectivity, and poor rangelands contain far more sibly the most important poisonous mineral in New poisonous plants than those in good condition. Mexico. It may be found in some of loco-

1Professor, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces.

To find more resources for your business, home, or , visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences on the World Wide Web at aces.nmsu.edu (Astragalus spp.), fourwing saltbush (Atriplex Table 1. Plant Toxins and Their Effects on Livestock canescens), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), and Toxin Effect and Symptoms asters (Aster spp.). Prince’s plume (Stanleya pinnata) Alkaloids Nervous system, liver damage, locoism, trembling, abortion, depression, paralysis, grows only on seleniferous soils. , loss of coordination, coma, and death Glycosides Excitement, gasping, staggering, paralysis, Nitrogenous compounds. Both range and crop prostration, convulsions, emphysema, blindness, plants may contain potentially toxic levels of ni- coma, and death Mineral Birth defects, loss of appetite, depression, labored trogenous compounds. Care must be taken during poisoning breathing, excessive urination, coma, and drought or after fertilizer or application. death through respiratory and myocardial failure Nitrates are also toxic in dry material and silage. Nitrogenous Abortion, depression of lactation, discolored Nitrogenous compounds are often found in many compounds urine, vitamin A deficiency, brown blood, trembling, weakness, labored breathing, species of the amaranth (), sunflow- hemorrhages, coma, and death er (), mustard (Brassicaceae), and goose- Oxalates Nervous system, reduced coagulability of blood, foot (Chenopodiaceae) families. acute kidney inflammation, dullness, colic, depression, labored breathing, prostration, weakness, coma, and death Oxalates and organic acids. Many plants Compounds causing Liver damage, inflammation of skin, itching, contain oxalates, but few species in New Mexico photosensitivity necrosis of skin, restlessness, leakage of serum through skin; death does not occur directly from contain enough to be considered dangerous. Ha- the photodynamic action, but through kidney logeton (Halogeton glomeratus) and dock (Rumex failure spp.) possess soluble oxalates that are corrosive to Resins or resinoids Direct irritation of the nervous and muscular animal tissue. Non- are more susceptible tissue, depression, weakness, staggering, labored breathing, elevated temperature, dilation of to oxalate poisoning than ruminants because the pupils, degeneration of kidneys, coma, and death large rumen capacity enables the animal to detoxify small amounts of soluble oxalates. Most cases of ru- minant poisoning occur on poor condition range- lands. chanical means if grazed. This is often by long awns or bristles (Aristida spp., Hordeum jubatum, Stipa Compounds causing photosensitivity. On cer- spp.) or by stinging hairs (Urtiea spp.). tain occasions, animals become hypersensitive to light. Photodynamic pigments contained in horse- brush (Tetradymia spp.), lechuguilla (Agave lechu- Poisonous Plants of New Mexico guilla), sacahuista (Nolina spp.), and puncture-vine There are at least 270 poisonous plants known to (Tribulus terrestris) react with light to produce swell- occur in New Mexico (Table 3). The following list ing about the head, blistering, and a sunburned includes all New Mexico range plants known to be appearance. Damage may be so severe that the lips, poisonous or injurious to livestock or humans, even ears, and eyelids may be lost. Bacterial infection though many of these do not pose a threat except may also set in. in exceptional circumstances. Also included are a few very common poisonous ornamentals or gar- Resins or resinoids. These are highly complex den plants that may occasionally escape. The major organic compounds that are present in a number poisonous plants that are likely to cause problems of plants. Resins are found in milkweeds ( and should be watched for are marked with an as- spp.), marijuana ( sativa), water hemlock terisk (*). The list is arranged in alphabetical order (Cicuta maculata), and chinaberry tree (Melia aze- by plant family and scientific name. Indications of darach). toxins and animals affected are only those reported Several noxious plants contain no poisonous and verified. The plants may be toxic to animals compounds, and instead cause injury through me- other than those listed.

Circular 636 • Page 2 Table 2. Distribution of Toxins in the Major Plant Families in New Mexico Number of species Number of species Number of species Family in which toxin occurs Family in which toxin occurs Family in which toxin occurs Toxin in New Mexico Toxin in New Mexico Toxin in New Mexico Fabaceae Photosensitization 2 Brassicaceae Alkaloids 21 Unknown 2 Allylisothiocyanate 2 Dicoumarin 2 Solanaceae Glycosides 1 Glycosides 3 Alkaloids 11 Mustard oil 1 Photosensitization 3 Glycosides 1 Selenium 1 Saponin 1 Unknown 2 Unknown 2 Selenium 13 Chenopodiaceae Ascelepiadaceae Unknown 10 Antihelminthic oil 1 Alkaloids 7 Asteraceae Glycosides 1 Glycosides 7 Acrid substance 2 Nitrogenous compounds 3 Resinoids 7 Alcohol 1 Oxalates 4 Rosaceae Alkaloids 5 Photosensitization 1 Glycosides 7 Glycosides 3 Selenium 3 Euphorbiaceae Nitrogenous compounds 2 Acrid substance 3 Photosensitization 2 Alkaloids 6 Croton oil 1 Saponin 2 Glycosides 4 Photosensitization 1 Selenium 11 Hairballs 1 Unknown 1 Unknown 21 Irritant oils 1 Liliaceae Volatile oils 2 Apiaceae Alkaloids 4 Alcohol 2 Unknown 2 Fungus 1 Alkaloids 2 Polygonaceae Glycosides 3 Nitrogenous compounds 2 Nitrogenous compounds 1 Mechanically injurous 10 Unknown 2 Oxalates 4 Nitrogenous compounds 3 Photosensitization 1

Table 3. Number of Poisonous or Noxious Range Plants in New Mexico Family Number of species Family Number of species Family Number of species Fabaceae 52 Ranunculaceae 12 Rosaceae 6 Asteraceae 50 Apiaceae 10 Polygonaceae 5 Poaceae 32 Brassicaceae 8 38 other families 66 Solanaceae 14 Asclepiadaceae 7 Chenopodiaceae 12 Euphorbiaceae 7 Total 281

Circular 636 • Page 3 Agavaceae Berula erecta (Huds.) Cov. Agave lechuguilla Torr. Common name: water parsnip Common name: lechuguilla Toxin: alkaloids Toxin: unknown substances producing hepatogenic Habitat: waterways, wet habitats photosensitization; saponins Animals affected: cattle Habitat: dry hills and plains Animals affected: , goats *Cicuta maculata L. Common name: water hemlock Nolina microcarpa Wats. Toxin: cicutoxin (alcohol) Common name: beargrass, sacahuista Habitat: streams and marshes Toxin: unknown Animals affected: all animals and humans Habitat: dry, rocky hills and plains Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats maculatum L. Common name: hemlock Nolina texana Wats. Toxin: alkaloids Common name: beargrass, sacahuista Habitat: moist roadsides, ditches, edges of culti- Toxin: unknown vated fields Habitat: dry, rocky hills and plains Animals affected: all animals and humans Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats Daucus carota L. Amaranthaceae Common name: wild carrot, Queen Ann’s lace *Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. Toxin: nitrates Common name: pigweed, carelessweed, redroot Habitat: waste areas amaranth Animals affected: horses, cattle Toxin: nitrates Habitat: gardens and old fields, waste areas Pastinaca sativa L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: parsnip Toxin: unknown *Amaranthus retroflexus L. Habitat: disturbed ground, cultivated areas Common name: pigweed, carelessweed, redroot Animals affected: humans amaranth Toxin: nitrates Sium suave Walt. Habitat: gardens and old fields, waste places Common name: water parsnip Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: unknown Habitat: marshes and wet soils Anacardiaceae Animals affected: cattle, swine *Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze Common name: poison ivy Apocynaceae Toxin: urushiol, a skin irritant Apocynum androsaemifolium L. Habitat: moist areas at lower elevations, ravines Common name: spreading dogbane Animals affected: humans (dermatitis) Toxin: resins, glycosides Habitat: open places, coarse soils along streams, Apiaceae meadows, and wooded hillsides Apium graveolens L. Animals affected: cats, dogs Common name: celery Toxin: nitrates (in the tops) Apocynum cannabinum L. Habitat: waste ground Common name: dogbane, hemp dogbane Animals affected: cattle Toxin: resins, glycosides

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 4 Apocynaceae (contd.) Habitat: dry plains and foothills, waterways, irriga- Habitat: open places, coarse soils along streams tion canals Animals affected: cats, dogs Animals affected: sheep, goats

Nerium oleander L. *Asclepias verticillata L. Common name: oleander Common name: whorled milkweed Toxin: glycosides Toxin: resinoids, glycosides, alkaloids Habitat: common ornamental Habitat: plains of northeastern New Mexico Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, humans Animals affected: sheep, cattle, horses

Asclepiadaceae Asteraceae *Asclepias asperula (Decne) Woodson L. Common name: rough milkweed, spider Common name: yarrow antelopehorn Toxin: alkaloids and glycosides Toxin: resinoids, glycosides, alkaloids Habitat: various Habitat: open dry plains, flats, desert swales, sandy Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses or rocky hillsides with pinyon, juniper, or oak Animals affected: sheep, cattle goats, horses, poultry Anthemis cotula L. Common name: dog fennel, mayweed *Asclepias incarnata L. Toxin: acrid substance irritating to mucous Common name: swamp milkweed membranes Toxin: resinoids, glycosides, alkaloids Habitat: disturbed soils, fields, waste places Habitat: marshes Animals affected: poultry Animals affected: sheep, cattle, horses, poultry Artemisia filifolia Torr. *Asclepias latifolia (Torr.) Raf. Common name: sand sagebrush Common name: broadleaf milkweed Toxin: volatile oils Toxin: resinoids, glycosides, alkaloids Habitat: sandy soils Habitat: dry plains in sandy soils Animals affected: horses Animals affected: sheep, goats Artemisia spinescens (DC.) Eaton *Asclepias pumila Voil. Common name: bud sagebrush Common name: low whorled milkweed, plains Toxin: volatile oils whorled milkweed Habitat: dry plains, hills Toxin: resinoids, glycosides, alkaloids Animals affected: cattle, sheep Habitat: plains, low hills Animals affected: sheep, goats Aster adscendens Lindl. Common name: aster *Asclepias speciosa Torr. Toxin: selenium Common name: showy milkweed Habitat: mountain meadows Toxin: resinoids, glycosides, alkaloids Animals affected: cattle, sheep Habitat: prairies, open areas Animals affected: sheep, goats Aster coerulescens DC. Common name: aster *Asclepias subverticillata Vail. Toxin: selenium Common name: whorled milkweed, western Habitat: wet ground, along streams whorled milkweed Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: resinoides, glycosides, alkaloids

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 5 Asteraceae (contd.) *Baileya multiradiata Harv. & Gray Aster commutatus Gray Common name: desert baileya, desert marigold Common name: aster Toxin: unknown Toxin: selenium Habitat: sandy and gravelly soils in dry areas Habitat: open fields, waste grounds Animals affected: sheep, goats Animals affected: cattle, sheep Centaurea repens L. Aster ericoides L. Common name: Russian knapweed Common name: aster Toxin: unknown Toxin: selenium Habitat: fields, roadsides, waste places Habitat: meadows, open woods Animals affected: horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep Centaurea solstitialis L. Aster glaucoides Blake Common name: yellow starthistle Common name: gray aster Toxin: unknown Toxin: selenium Habitat: waste grounds Habitat: mountains Animals affected: horses Animals affected: sheep Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Pall.) Britton Aster laevis L. Common name: rubber rabbitbrush Common name: smooth aster Toxin: unknown Toxin: selenium Habitat: dry, open places at moderate and low Habitat: scattered in dry to moist places elevations Animals affected: cattle, sheep Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

Aster occidentalis (Nutt.) Torr. & Gray Conyza coulteri Gray Common name: western aster Common name: conyza Toxin: selenium Toxin: unknown Habitat: mountain meadows at moderate elevations Habitat: plains, valleys, alkaline soils Animals affected: cattle, sheep Animals affected: sheep

Aster pauciflorus Nutt. Flourensia cernua DC. Common name: fewheaded aster Common name: tarbush Toxin: selenium Toxin: unknown Habitat: widespread in saline soils Habitat: dry plains, hills, mesas Animals affected: cattle, sheep Animals affected: sheep, goats

Baccharis pteronioides DC. Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal Common name: yerba-de-pasmo Common name: curlycup gumweed Toxin: unknown Toxin: selenium Habitat: dry, open hills Habitat: dry open places, prairies, plains, Animals affected: cattle, sheep roadsides, fields Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Bahia oppositifolia (Nutt.) DC. Common name: bahia, plains bahia *Gutierrezia microcephala (DC.) Gray Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Common name: broomweed, perennial snakeweed, Habitat: dry soils of plains and hills turpentine weed, snakeweed, matchweed Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: saponin

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 6 Asteraceae (contd.) Toxin: unknown, may be associated with mineral Habitat: dry plains, slopes, mesas imbalance Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats, swine, Habitat: dry, rocky, or clay soils of plains and chicks, rabbits mountain slopes Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats *Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby Common name: broom snakeweed, snakeweed, *Isocoma wrightii (Gray) Rydb. matchbrush, turpentine weed Common name: rayless goldenrod, jimmyweed, Toxin: saponin burrowweed Habitat: dry stony plains, slopes, mesas Toxin: tremetol (alcohol) Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats, swine, Habitat: river valleys, drainage areas, irrigation chicks, rabbits canals Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses *Haplopappus tenuisectus (Greene) Blake Common name: burrowweed serriola L. Toxin: tremetol (alcohol) Common name: wild Habitat: dry slopes and mesas Toxin: unknown Animals affected: cattle, sheep Habitat: waste grounds, valleys, stream banks Animals affected: cattle * autumnale L. Common name: sneezeweed, bitterweed *Oxytenia acerosa Nutt. Toxin: unknown acrid substance Common name: copperweed Habitat: moist low ground in lowlands and Toxin: unknown foothills Habitat: alkaline soils in draws and streambeds, Animals affected: cattle, sheep desert ranges Animals affected: cattle, sheep *Helenium hoopesii Gray Common name: sneezeweed, sneezeweed Psathyrotes annua (Nutt.) Gray Toxin: glycoside (dugaldin) Common name: annual psathyrotes Habitat: high mountain slopes and valleys, often Toxin: unknown forming dense stands in moist, sunny, undisturbed Habitat: dry, sandy, often alkaline soils, especially localities creekbeds, dry washes Animals affected: cattle, sheep Animals affected: sheep

*Helenium microcephalum DC. *Psilostrophe sparsiflora (Gray) A. Nels. Common name: sneezeweed Common name: paperflower Toxin: unknown Toxin: unknown, induces kidney damage Habitat: moist ground Habitat: dry, open range Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, mules Animals affected: sheep

*Hymenoxys odorata DC. *Psilostrophe tagetinae (Nutt.) Greene Common name: bitterweed, bitter rubberweed Common name: paperflower Toxin: unknown Toxin: unknown, induces kidney damage Habitat: semiarid range Habitat: dry, open range Animals affected: sheep Animals affected: sheep

*Hymenoxys richardsonii (Hook.) Cockerell Rudbeckia laciniata L. Common name: pingue, rubberweed, Common name: golden glow, coneflower, rubberweed thimble weed

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 7 Asteraceae (contd.) Toxin: ethereal oil; causes abortions Toxin: unknown Habitat: roadsides, waste areas, ditchbanks, Habitat: moist, rich soils moist areas Animals affected: swine, sheep Animals affected: cattle

Rudbeckia hirta L. *Tetradymia canescens DC. Common name: black-eyed Susan Common name: horsebrush Toxin: unknown Toxin: photosensitizing compounds Habitat: open slopes, meadows Habitat: dry desert and sagebrush range Animals affected: cattle, swine Animals affected: sheep

Sartwellia flaveriae Gray *Tetradymia spinosa Torr. & Gray Common name: sartwellia Common name: spiny horsebrush Toxin: unknown Toxin: photosensitzing compounds Habitat: alkaline soils, gypsum Habitat: dry desert and sagebrush range Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats Animals affected: sheep

*Senecio flaccidus Lessing Viguiera annua (Jones) Blake Common name: threadleaf groundsel Common name: annual goldeneye Toxin: pyrrolizidine alkaloids Toxin: unknown Habitat: dry slopes, mesas, dry washes Habitat: dry hills and mesas Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Animals affected: cattle

*Senecio riddellii Torr. & Gray *Xanthium spinosum L. Common name: Riddell’s groundsel Common name: spiny cocklebur Toxin: pyrrolizidine alkaloids Toxin: hydroquinone Habitat: dry, sandy soils Habitat: waste places, fields Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Animals affected: cattle, sheep, fowl, swine

Senecio spartioides Torr. & Gray *Xanthium strumarium L. Common name: broom groundsel Common name: cocklebur Toxin: pyrrolizidine alkaloids Toxin: hydroquinone Habitat: valleys, plains, open areas, pine forests Habitat: fields and waste places Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, fowl, swine

Senecio vulgaris L. Boraginaceae Common name: common groundsel Amsinckia intermedia Fisch & May Toxin: pyrrolizidine alkaloids Common name: fiddleneck Habitat: gardens, disturbed ground Toxin: unknown Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Habitat: dry, open, cultivated ground and waste areas Sideranthus grindelioides (Nutt.) Rydb. Animals affected: cattle, horses, swine Common name: ironweed Toxin: selenium Cynoglossum officinale L. Habitat: dry plains, rocky hills Common name: hounds tongue Animals affected: sheep Toxin: unknown Habitat: waste places in plains and hills Tanacetum vulgare L. Animals affected: cattle Common name: common tansy

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 8 Brassicaceae Campanulaceae Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. Lobelia cardinalis L. Common name: yellow rocket Common name: western cardinal flower Toxin: mustard oil Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: wet meadows, waste places Habitat: wet ground Animals affected: horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats

Brassica hirta Moench Cannabinaceae Common name: white mustard L. Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Common name: marijuana Habitat: cultivated fields, waste areas Toxin: Animals affected: cattle, sheep Habitat: waste places Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, humans Brassica kaber Wheeler Common name: charlock Capparidaceae Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside refracta Engelm. Habitat: grain fields, waste areas Common name: jackass clover Animals affected: cattle, sheep, swine Toxin: unknown Habitat: roadsides, fields Brassica nigra Koch Animals affected: cattle Common name: black mustard Toxin: goiterogenic glycoside Caprifoliaceae Habitat: cultivated fields Sambucus mexicana Presl. Animals affected: cattle Common name: Mexican elder Toxin: unknown *Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. Habitat: valleys, stream banks, ornamental Common name: tansy mustard Animals affected: cattle, swine Toxin: unknown Habitat: sandy soils Sambucus microbotrys Rydb. Animals affected: cattle Common name: Rocky Mountain red elder Toxin: unknown, concentrated in Raphanus raphanastrum L. Habitat: moist woods, 8,000–12,000 feet Common name: wild radish Animals affected: cattle, swine Toxin: unknown Habitat: cultivated areas, waste places Caryophyllaceae Animals affected: cattle Agrostemma githago L. Common name: corn cockle Stanleya pinnata (Pursh) Britt. Toxin: cardiac glycoside Common name: prince’s plume Habitat: cultivated fields, waste places Toxin: selenium Animals affected: cattle, swine, poultry Habitat: desert areas, dry plains and mesas Animals affected: cattle, sheep *Drymaria pachyphylla Woot. & Standl. Common name: inkweed, drymary Thlaspi arvense L. Toxin: unknown Common name: field pennycress Habitat: alkaline clay soils Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Animals affected: cattle, sheep Habitat: cultivated fields, waste areas Animals affected: cattle

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 9 Caryophyllaceae (contd.) Habitat: waste places Saponaria officinalis L. Animals affected: geese Common name: bouncing bet, soapwort Toxin: saponin Chenopodium glaucum L. Habitat: waste areas, roadsides Common name: oakleaf goosefoot Animals affected: sheep, rabbits Toxin: nitrates Habitat: waste places Saponaria vaccaria L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep Common name: cow cockle Toxin: saponin *Halogeton glomeratus (Bieg.) C.A. Mey. Habitat: waste areas, roadsides Common name: halogeton, barilla Animals affected: sheep, rabbits Toxin: oxalates Habitat: dry saline plains and alkaline areas, Chenopodiaceae roadsides Atriplex canescens (Pursh) James Animals affected: cattle, sheep Common name: four-wing saltbush Toxin: selenium Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. Habitat: dry plains, canyons Common name: summer cypress, kochia Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: photosensitizing compounds Habitat: dry soils, roadsides, waste places Atriplex nuttallii Wats. subsp. cuneata (A. Nels.) Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: Nuttall saltbush Toxin: selenium Salsola tragus L. Habitat: dry hills and slopes Common name: Russian thistle, Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: nitrates Habitat: dry soils of plains and foothills Atriplex rosea L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: red orache, red shadscale Toxin: selenium *Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. Habitat: waste areas Common name: greasewood Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: oxalates Habitat: alkaline flats or saline areas at low hyssopifolia (Pall.) Kuntze elevations Common name: bassia Animals affected: sheep, sometimes cattle Toxin: oxalates Habitat: dry, saline areas Suckleya suckleyana (Torr.) Rydb. Animals affected: sheep Common name: poison suckleya Toxin: hydrocyanic acid * L. Habitat: moist ground, near ponds and reservoirs Common name: lambsquarter, goosefoot Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: nitrates Habitat: waste places Cyperaceae Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Scirpus americanus Pers. Common name: bulrush Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Toxin: unknown, suspected of producing pulmo- Common name: goosefoot nary emphysema Toxin: antihelminthic oil Habitat: wet or moist ground Animals affected: sheep, sometimes cattle

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 10 Equisetaceae Habitat: plains, ornamental *Equisetum arvense L. Animals affected: cattle, humans Common name: horsetail, scouring rush Toxin: alkaloids Euphorbia prostrata Alt. Habitat: sandy or gravelly soils along streams, moist Common name: euphorbia fields, meadows Toxin: unknown acrid principle Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Habitat: open plains and waste areas Animals affected: cattle *Equisetum hiemale L. Common name: scouring rush, horsetail Reverchonia arenaria Gray Toxin: alkaloids Common name: reverchonia Habitat: low moist areas, mostly along streams Toxin: unknown Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Habitat: dry, sandy ground Animals affected: sheep *Equisetum laevigatum R. Br. Common name: smooth horsetail Fabaceae Toxin: thiaminase *Acacia constricta Benth. Habitat: marshes, alluvial thickets, cultivated areas Common name: whitethorn acacia Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Habitat: dry slopes and mesas Euphorbiaceae Animals affected: cattle Croton texensis (Klotz.) DC. Common name: croton Acacia greggii Gray Toxin: croton oil (caustic) Common name: catclaw acacia Habitat: roadsides, fields, dry streambeds Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: along streams and washes; southern New Mexico Euphorbia albomarginata Torr. & Gray Animals affected: sheep Common name: spurge Toxin: unknown photosensitizing substance Astragalus albulus Woot. & Standl. Habitat: dry flats and slopes Common name: Cibola milkvetch Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: selenium Habitat: clay flats, low hills, sandstone soils Euphorbia esula L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: leafy spurge Toxin: unknown acrid principle Astragalus allochrous Gray var. allochrous Habitat: waste areas Common name: halfmoon locoweed Animals affected: sheep, horses Toxin: swainsonine Habitat: dry slopes, plains, and valleys Euphorbia maculata L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: eyebane, spotted spurge Toxin: unknown photosensitizing substance *Astragalus allochrous Gray var. playanus (M.E. Habitat: fields, slopes, canyons Jones) Isely Animals affected: sheep Common name: Wooton locoweed Toxin: alkaloid (locoine) Euphorbia marginata Pursh Habitat: plains, slopes, valleys Common name: snow-on-the-mountain Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: unknown acrid principle

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 11 Fabaceae (contd.) *Astragalus lentiginosus Hook. var. diphysus (Gray) *Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) Gray var. bisulcatus M.E. Jones Common name: two-grooved milkvetch Common name: blue loco, rattleweed Toxin: selenium Toxin: swainsonine Habitat: plains and bottomlands, sagebrush zones Habitat: rocky slopes, canyons, mesas Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

*Astragalus bisulcatus var. haydenianus (Gray) Barneby *Astragalus mollissimus Torr. var. mollissimus Common name: two-grooved milkvetch Common name: woolly locoweed Toxin: selenium Toxin: swainsonine Habitat: plains, dry slopes, sagebrush zone Habitat: open plains and valleys Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

Astragalus canadensis L. *Astragalus mollissimus var. earlei (Rydb.) Tidestrom Common name: Canada milkvetch Common name: woolly locoweed Toxin: swainsonine Toxin: swainsonine Habitat: moist ground or sometimes rocky slopes Habitat: dry slopes and plains Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

Astragalus confertiflorus Gray *Astragalus nothoxys Gray Common name: yellow milkvetch Common name: beaked milkvetch Toxin: selenium Toxin: swainsonine Habitat: rocky slopes Habitat: open slopes, sandy areas, among oak and Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses juniper Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Astragalus drummondii Hook. Common name: Drummond milkvetch Astragalus oocalycis M.E. Jones Toxin: swainsonine Common name: locoweed Habitat: plains and hillsides, brush places Toxin: selenium Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: dry hills, plains, valleys Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Astragalus emoryanus (Rydb.) Cory Common name: Emory milkvetch Astragalus pattersonii Gray Toxin: alkaloid, produces locoism when found on Common name: Patterson locoweed limestone soils or red sandy soils Toxin: selenium Habitat: rocky hillsides, canyons, disturbed areas Habitat: dry plains and hillsides, in alkaline or sele- Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats niferous soils Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Astragalus flavus Torr. & Gray Common name: yellow milkvetch Astragalus pectinatus G. Don Toxin: selenium Common name: tine-leaved milkvetch Habitat: rocky slopes, low hills Toxin: selenium Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: variety of habitats Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses *Astragalus lentiginosus Hook var. lentiginosus Common name: blue loco *Astragalus praelongus Sheld. var. praelongus Toxin: swainsonine Common name: stinking milkvetch Habitat: rocky slopes, canyons, mesas Toxin: selenium Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: variety of habitats Animal affected: cattle, sheep, horses * Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 12 Fabaceae (contd.) Toxin: alpha-, gamma-diaminobutyric acid *Astragalus praelongus var. ellisiae (Rydb.) Barneby Habitat: dry plains, sandy banks, washes Common name: Ellis milkvetch Animals affected: horses Toxin: selenium Habitat: variety of habitats, widespread Lotus corniculatus L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: birdsfoot trefoil Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Astragalus racemosus Pursh var. racemosus Habitat: sandy roadsides Common name: alkali milkvetch Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: selenium Habitat: barren slopes, alluvial areas, alkaline soils *Lupinus alpestris A. Nels. Animals affected: cattle Common name: lupine, bluebonnet Toxin: alkaloids Astragalus racemosus var. longisetus M.E. Jones Habitat: mountains Common name: alkali milkvetch Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: selenium Habitat: eroded slopes, along streams *Lupinus argenteus Animals affected: cattle Common name: silvery lupine Toxin: alkaoids Astragalus tephrodes Gray Habitat: meadows, open woods Common name: silverline locoweed Animals affected: cattle, sheep, deer Toxin: swainsonine Habitat: rocky slopes to sandy plains *Lupinus caudatus Kell. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: Kellogg’s spurred lupine, tailcut lupine *Astragalus thurberi Gray Toxin: alkaloids Common name: Thurber milkvetch Habitat: exposed hillsides Toxin: alkaloid (locoine) Animals affected: cattle Habitat: plains, valleys, open slopes Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Medicago hispida Gaertn. Common name: burclover Cassia fasiculata Michx. Toxin: photosensitization compounds Common name: partridge-pea Habitat: waste areas Toxin: unknown Animals affected: cattle, sheep, swine Habitat: dry fields and hillsides Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Medicago sativa L. Common name: , lucerne Crotalaria sagittalis L. Toxin: saponin, photosensitization compounds Common name: rattlebox, crotalaria Habitat: cultivated and escaping Toxin: unknown Animals affected: cattle, sheep, chicks, swine Habitat: sandy soil near streams Animals affected: horses Melilotus albus Desv. Common name: white sweetclover Lathyrus polymorphus Nutall subsp. incanus (J.G. Toxin: dicoumarin Sm. & Rydb.) C.L. Hitchc. Habitat: waste areas, fields Common name: wild pea Animals affected: cattle

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 13 Fabaceae (contd.) Habitat: dry plains, low hills *Melilotus officinalis Lam. Animals affected: cattle, horses Common name: yellow sweetclover Toxin: dicoumarin Robinia pseudoacacia L. Habitat: waste areas, fields Common name: black locust Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: unknown Habitat: along roadsides, escaped from cultivation *Oxytropis lambertii Pursh Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, poultry Common name: Lambert’s crazyweed Toxin: unknown alkaloid, produces locoism Sophora secundiflora (Ort.) Lag. Habitat: plains, mountain slopes Common name: mescal bean, frijolito Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: along limestone bluffs, gravelly outwashes *Oxytropis sericea Torr. & Gray Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats Common name: white loco, silky crazyweed Toxin: alkaloids, produces locoism Sophora sericea Nutt. Habitat: open slopes, widespread Common name: silky sophora Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: dry fields and plains Pisum sativum L. Animals affected: horses Common name: garden pea Toxin: unknown Thermopsis Nutt. Habitat: gardens Common name: mountain golden pea Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: mountain valleys and clearings Caesalpinia gilliesii (Wallich ex Hooker) Wallich ex Animals affected: cattle D. Dietrich Common name: bird of paradise Thermopsis rhombifolia Rich. Toxin: unknown, green seed pods are Common name: prairie thermopsis gastrointestinal irritants Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: around dwelling sites, waste areas Habitat: dry, sandy soils of hills and plains Animals affected: cattle Animals affected: cattle, horses

Prosopis glandulosa Torr. Trifolium hybridum L. Common name: mesquite Common name: alsike clover Toxin: unknown, may cause a nutritional deficiency Toxin: photosensitizing compound Habitat: plains, prairies, river valleys Habitat: meadows, waste areas Animals affected: cattle Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, swine

Psoralea argophylla Pursh L. Common name: scurf pea Common name: red clover Toxin: unknown Toxin: unknown Habitat: plains and hills Habitat: fields and waste areas Animals affected: cattle, sheep Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

Psoralea tenuiflora Pursh Trifolium repens L. Common name: scurf pea, Indian turnip Common name: white clover Toxin: unknown Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 14 Fabaceae (contd.) Juncaginaceae Habitat: fields and waste areas *Triglochin maritima L. Animals affected: newborn pigs Common name: arrowgrass Toxin: hydroqanic acid Vicia villosa Roth Habitat: marshy ground Common name: hairy vetch, wintervetch Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: photosensitizing compound Habitat: cultivated areas *Triglochin palustris L. Animals affected: cattle, horses Common name: arrowgrass Toxin: hydroqanic acid Fagaceae Habitat: marshy ground *Quercus gambelii Nutt. Animals affected: cattle, sheep Common name: Gambeloak Toxin: tannins Lamiaceae Habitat: canyons and mountain slopes Lamium amplexicaule L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats Common name: henbit, dead nettle Toxin: unknown *Quercus havardii Rydb. Habitat: waste areas Common name: Havard shinoak, shinnery Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: tannins Habitat: sandy plains Salvia reflexa Hornem. Animals affected: cattle, sheep Common name: annual sage, mintweed Toxin: nitrates Fumariaceae Habitat: rocky slopes, open woods *Corydalis aurea Willd. Animals affected: cattle Common name: golden corydalis Toxin: alkaloids Liliaceae Habitat: damp slopes and plains Asparagus officinalis L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep Common name: asparagus Toxin: unknown compound in fruits Gentianaceae Habitat: valleys, roadsides, loose or sandy soils Centaurium calycosum Fern. Animals affected: cattle and dairy cattle Common name: mountain pink Toxin: unknown * californicum Durand Habitat: boggy or marshy places Common name: false , cornlily Animals affected: sheep, goats Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: moist meadows in the mountains Hypericaceae Animals affected: cattle, sheep, fowl Hypericum formosum H.B.K. Common name: southwestern St. John’s wort *Zigadenus venenosus Pursh Toxin: photosensitizing compounds Common name: death camas Habitat: moist soil in damp meadows Toxin: alkaloids Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats Habitat: wooded slopes in the mountains Animals affected: cattle, horses, swine, fowl Iridaceae missouriensis Nutt. *Zigadenus gramineus Rydb. Common name: Rocky Mountain iris Common name: death camas Toxin: unknown Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: open meadows in the higher mountains Habitat: wooded slopes and open ground Animals affected: calves Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses * Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 15 Liliaceae (contd.) Moraceae *Zigadenus paniculatus (Nutt.) Wats Maclura pomifera Schneid Common name: death camas Common name: Osage orange Toxin: alkaloids Toxins: unknown compounds in fruit Habitat: open grassy or rocky plains and hills Habitat: waste areas and arroyos Animals affected: cattle, horses, swine Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

Linaceae Oxalidaceae Linum neomexicanum Greene Oxalis corniculata L. Common name: New Mexico yellow flax Common name: creeping woodsorrel Toxin: saponin, glycoside Toxin: oxalates Habitat: wooded mountain slopes Habitat: moist waste areas, often in lawns Animals affected: cattle Animals affected: sheep

Linum usitatissimum L. Common name: flax Argemone mexicana L. Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Common name: Mexican poppy Habitat: waste areas around cultivated areas Toxin: alkaloids Animals affected: cattle Habitat: waste areas Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, fowl Loranthaceae Phoradendron flavescens (Pursh) Nutt. Argemone polyanthemos (Fedde) G. Ownbey Common name: mistletoe Common name: prickly poppy Toxin: pressor amines, phenylethylamine, tyramine Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: parasitic on cottonwood and other decidu- Habitat: dry plains, waste areas ous trees Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, fowl Animals affected: cattle nudicaule L. var. radicatum (Rottb.) DC. Malvaceae Common name: Iceland poppy Gossypium barbadense L. Toxin: alkaloids Common name: sea-island cotton Habitat: open slopes and summits Toxin: gossypol in seeds Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: cultivated Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Papaver somniferum L. Common name: common poppy Malva parviflora L. Toxin: alkaloids Common name: mallow, cheeseweed Habitat: ornamental Toxin: fatty acids (malvalic and sterculic) Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: waste areas Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Pinaceae Pinus ponderosa Laws. Meliaceae Common name: Western yellow pine, Melia azedarach L. ponderosa pine Common name: chinaberry tree Toxin: unknown compounds in Toxin: resins, especially in fruits Habitat: mountain areas Habitat: waste areas, ornamental Animals affected: cattle Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 16 Poaceae Bromus tectorum L. Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. Common name: cheatgrass, down cheat Common name: wheatgrass Toxin: mechanical injury from mature awns; may Toxin: ergot infestation of seedheads also cause ergot poisoning Habitat: rangeland and pastures Habitat: roadsides and waste areas Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, humans Animals affected: cattle

Aristida spp. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Common name: red three-awn Common name: Bermudagrass Toxin: awns are mechanically injurious Toxin: photosensitizing compound, hayfever Habitat: plains and rocky slopes Habitat: waste areas; widespread Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle

Avena fatua L. Elymus spp. Common name: wild oats Common name: wild rye Toxin: nitrates Toxin: ergot infestation Habitat: cultivated land and waste areas Habitat: mountain slopes, plains Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle

Avena sativa L. Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Lutati ex Janchen Common name: cultivated oats Common name: lovegrass, stinkgrass Toxin: nitrates, photosensitizing compounds, grass Toxin: unknown tetany Habitat: cultivated or waste areas Habitat: open ground, grasslands, waste areas Animals affected: horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Festuca arundinacea Schreber Bouteloua spp. Common name: tall fescue Common name: grama grasses Toxin: alkaloids, fescue foot Toxin: low levels of cyanide Habitat: pastures Habitat: plains Animals affected: cattle Animals affected: cattle Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc. Bromus diandrus Roth Common name: fowl mannagrass Common name: ripgut brome Toxin: cyanogenetic compounds Toxin: mechanical injury from mature awns Habitat: plains and foothills Habitat: weedy ground Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep Hilaria jamesii (Torr.) Benth. Bromus inermis Leyss. Common name: galleta Common name: smooth brome Toxin: ergot infestation of seedheads Toxin: ergot infestation of seed heads Habitat: plains and foothills Habitat: mountain slopes and meadows Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Hilaria mutica (Buckl.) Benth. Bromus rubens L. Common name: tobosa Common name: foxtail chess, red brome Toxin: ergot infestation of seedheads Toxin: mechanical injury from mature awns Habitat: plains and foothills Habitat: dry hills and waste areas Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle, sheep

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 17 Poaceae (contd.) Secale cereale L. Hordeum jubatum L. Common name: rye Common name: foxtail barley Toxin: ergot infestation of seed heads Toxin: mechanical injury from mature awns Habitat: cultivated Habitat: plains and open slopes Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, humans Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Setaria lutescens (Wiegel) Hubb. Hordeum vulgare L. Common name: yellow bristlegrass Common name: barley Toxin: mechanically injurious (rare) Toxin: mechanical injury from mature awns Habitat: waste areas Habitat: waste areas Animals affected: cattle Animals affected: cattle, swine, dogs, poultry Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Lolium perenne L. Common name: common sorghum, milo Common name: perennial ryegrass Toxin: cyanide Toxin: ergot infestation of seed heads Habitat: waste areas, cultivated Habitat: meadows, waste areas Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle *Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. antidotale Retz. Common name: Johnsongrass Common name: blue panicum Toxin: cynanide Toxin: nitrates Habitat: waste areas, cultivated fields Habitat: rangelands Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle Stipa comata Trin. Rupr. Panicum capillare L. Common name: needle-and-thread Common name: witchgrass Toxin: mechanical injury from mature awns Toxin: nitrates Habitat: open slopes Habitat: roadsides, waste places Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle Stipa neomexicana (Thurb.) Scribn. Panicum coloratum L. Common name: New Mexico feathergrass Common name: Kleinegrass Toxin: mechanical injury from mature awns Toxin: photosensitivity Habitat: dry hills Habitat: pastures Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: sheep Stipa robusta (Vasey) Scribn. Paspalum dilatatum Poir. Common name: sleepygrass Common name: dallisgrass Toxin: unknown narcotic Toxin: ergot infestation of seed heads Habitat: open slopes, northern to south-central Habitat: irrigated pastures, moist disturbed areas New Mexico Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: horses

Poa pratensis L. Zea mays L. Common name: bluegrass Common name: common maize Toxin: ergot infestation of seed heads Toxin: nitrates Habitat: lawns, pastures, meadows Habitat: cultivated Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Animals affected: cattle

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 18 Polygalaceae Toxin: oxalates Polygala sanguinea (L.) Farwell Habitat: waste areas, cultivated areas Common name: milkwort, snakeroot Animals affected: sheep Toxin: irritant drug Habitat: plains Primulaceae Animals affected: horses Anagallis arvensis L. Common name: pimpernel Polygonaceae Toxin: unknown Beta vulgaris L. Habitat: waste areas Common name: beet, sugar beet Animals affected: sheep Toxin: oxalates, nitrates Habitat: cultivated Ranunculaceae Animals affected: cattle * columbianum Nutt. Common name: monkshood Fagopyrum sagittatum Gilib. Toxin: alkaloids Common name: buckwheat Habitat: moist ground, often along streams Toxin: primary photosensitizer Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: waste areas, roadsides Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, goats, Actea arguta Nutt. swine, fowl Common name: baneberry Toxin: irritant oil Rheum rhaponticum L. Habitat: woods Common name: rhubarb Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, humans Toxin: oxalic acid in the blades Habitat: cultivated patens L. Animals affected: cattle, sheep Common name: pasque flower Toxin: glycoside Rumex acetosella L. Habitat: open meadows Common name: sheep sorrel, dock Animals affected: sheep Toxin: oxalates in the leaf blades Habitat: disturbed places leptosepala DC. Animals affected: sheep Common name: elkslip, March marigold Toxin: glycoside Rumex crispus L. Habitat: wet meadows, boggy ground Common name: curlyleaf dock Animals affected: cattle, sheep Toxin: oxalates Habitat: cultivated fields, waste areas *Delphinium barbeyi Huth. Animals affected: sheep Common name: Barbey larkspur, tall larkspur Toxin: alkaloids Polypodiaceae Habitat: open meadows *Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Animals affected: cattle, occasionally sheep Common name: bracken fern Toxin: thiaminase *Delphinium nelsonii Greene Habitat: open woods and clearings in the Common name: Nelson larkspur mountains Toxin: alkaloids Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: dry plains Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Portulacaceae Portulaca oleracea L. *Delphinium occidentale Wats. Common name: common purslane Common name: larkspur * Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 19 Ranunculaceae (contd.) Prunus persica Batsch Toxin: alkaloids Common name: Habitat: dry slopes in oak scrub Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside, especially in Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses seeds (pits) Habitat: cultivated *Delphinium robustum Rydb. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: larkspur Toxin: alkaloids *Prunus serotina Ehrh. Habitat: mountain meadows Common name: southwestern chokecherry Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Habitat: along streams *Delphinium virescens Nutt. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: larkspur Toxin: alkaloids *Prunus virginiana L. Habitat: dry plains and hills Common name: chokecherry Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside Habitat: moist canyons and slopes Ranunculus cymbalaria Purch Animals affected: cattle, sheep Common name: alkali buttercup, trailing buttercup Toxin: glycoside Santalaceae Habitat: wet ground Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Common name: bastard toadflax Toxin: alkaloids, glycosides, selenium Ranunculus sceleratus L. Habitat: plains and forested slopes; parasitic on Common name: crowfoot, buttercup other plants Toxin: glycoside Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Habitat: marshy ground Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Scrophulariaceae Castilleja spp. Rosaceae Common name: paintbrushes *Cercocarpus montanus Raf. Toxin: selenium Common name: mountain mahogany Habitat: foothills and plains Toxin: cyanogenetic glycosides Animals affected: cattle Habitat: dry hillsides Animals affected: cattle Sinopteridaceae Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott sylvestris Mill. Common name: malefern Common name: apple Toxin: thiaminase Toxin: cyanide in leaves Habitat: damp, rocky places, often along streams Habitat: cultivated Animals affected: horses Animals affected: cattle, horses, mules *Notholaena sinuata (Lag.) Kaulf. var. cochisenis Prunus armeniaca L. (Goodding) Weath. Common name: apricot Common name: Jimmy fern, cloak fern Toxin: cyanogenetic glycoside, especially in Toxin: unknown, passed through the milk seeds (pits) Habitat: dry, rocky areas, along canyon walls Habitat: cultivated Animals affected: sheep Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 20 Solanaceae Physalis virginiana Mill. var. (Torr.) Waterfall *Datura stramonium L. Common name: groundcherry Common name: Jimsonweed Toxin: unknown Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: moist ground, widespread Habitat: waste or cultivated ground Animals affected: sheep Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, swine, mules, chickens, humans *Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. Common name: silverleaf nightshade, horsenettle *Datura wrightii Regel. Toxin: glycoalkaloids Common name: datura, thornapple Habitat: shaded slopes or waste areas Toxin: alkaloids Animals affected: cattle, sheep Habitat: mesas and waste grounds Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, swine, Solanum nigrum L. mules, chickens, humans Common name: black nightshade Toxin: glycoalkaloids L. Habitat: shaded slopes or waste areas Common name: henbane Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: moist roadsides Solanum rostratum Dunal. Animals affected: cattle, sheep, fowl Common name: buffalobur Toxin: glycoalkaloids Lycium halimifolium Mill. Habitat: plains and waste areas Common name: matrimony vine Animals affected: cattle, swine Toxin: unknown Habitat: dry hills and plains Solanum sarachoides Sendt. Animals affected: calves, sheep Common name: hairy nightshade Toxin: glycoalkaloids Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Habitat: waste areas Common name: tomato Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Toxin: alkaloids in leaves and vines Habitat: cultivated Solanum triflorum Nutt. Animals affected: cattle, swine Common name: cutleaf nightshade Toxin: glycoalkaloids Nicotiana attenuata S. Wats. Habitat: plains, roadsides, streambeds Common name: coyote tobacco Animals affected: cattle, horses Toxin: nicotine Habitat: sandy ground near streams and washes Typhaceae Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses, swine Typha latifolia L. Common name: cattail Nicotiana glauca Graham Toxin: hayfever Common name: tree tobacco Habitat: marshes, ponds Toxin: nicotine Animals affected: horses Habitat: along desert streams and washes Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses Urtica gracilis Ait. Common name: stinging nettle Nicotiana trigonophylla Dunal Toxin: stinging hairs cause dermatitis, nitrates Common name: desert tobacco Habitat: rich damp soil in thickets in mountains Toxin: nicotine Animals affected: horses Habitat: desert canyons, washes Animals affected: cattle, sheep, horses * Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 21 Verbenaceae references Aloysia wrightii (Gray) Heller Common name: whitebrush Fuller, T.C., and E. McClintock. 1986. Poisonous plants Toxin: unknown of . Berkely: University of California Press. Habitat: dry, rocky slopes, often on limestone soils James, L.F., R.F. Keeler, A.E. Johnson, M.C. Williams, E.H. Cronin, and J.D. Olsen. 1980. Plants poison- Animals affected: horses ous to livestock in the western states (Inf. Bul. 415). , D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Zygophyllaceae Kingsbury, J.M. 1964. Poisonous plants of the United Kallstroemia hirsutissima Vail States and Canada. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice- Common name: hairy caltrop Hall, Inc. Toxin: unknown Norris, J.J., K.A. Valentine. 1957. Principle livestock-poi- Habitat: dry plains, widespread soning plants of New Mexico ranges (Circular 274). Las Animals affected: cattle, sheep, goats Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University Coopera- tive Extension Service. Peganum harmala L. Schmutz, E.M., B.N. Freeman, and R.E. Reed. 1968. Common name: African rue Livestock-poisoning plants of . Tucson: Univer- sity of Arizona Press. Toxin: alkaloids Habitat: southern dry plains Animals affected: cattle

*Tribulus terrestris L. Common name: puncturevine, goathead Toxin: nitrates, photosensitizing compound, saponins Habitat: disturbed areas Animals affected: sheep

Index to generic and common names

A Anagallis arvensis 19 Acacia constricta 11 Anemone patens 19 Acacia greggii 11 Annual goldeneye 8 Achillea millefolium 5 Annual psathyrotes 7 19 Annual sage 15 Actea arguta 19 Anthemis cotula 5 African rue 22 Apium graveolens 4 Agave lechuguilla 4 Apocynum androsaemifolium 4 Agropyron cristatum 17 Apocynum cannabinum 4 Agrostemma githago 9 Apple 20 Alfalfa 13 Apricot 20 Alkali buttercup 20 Argemone mexicana 16 Alkali milkvetch 13 Argemone polyanthemos 16 Aloysia wrightii 22 Aristida spp. 17 Alsike clover 14 Arrowgrass 15 Amaranthus palmeri 4 Artemisia filifolia 5 Amaranthus retroflexus 4 Artemisia spinescens 5 Amsinckia intermedia 8 Asclepias asperula 5

* Major poisonous plant

Circular 636 • Page 22 Asclepias incarnata 5 Baneberry 19 Asclepias latifolia 5 Barbarea vulgaris 9 Asclepias pumila 5 Barbey larkspur 19 Asclepias speciosa 5 Barilla 10 Asclepias subverticillata 5 Barley 18 Asclepias verticillata 5 Bassia 10 Asparagus 15 Bassia hyssopifolia 10 Asparagus officinalis 15 Bastard toadflax 20 Aster 5, 6 Beaked milkvetch 12 Aster adscendens 5 Beargrass 4 Aster coerulescens 5 Beet 19 Aster commutatus 6 Bermudagrass 17 Aster ericoides 6 Berula erecta 4 Aster glaucoides 6 Beta vulgaris 19 Aster laevis 6 Bird of paradise 14 Aster occidentalis 6 Birdsfoot trefoil 13 Aster pauciflorus 6 Bitter rubberweed 7 Astragalus albulus 11 Bitterweed 7 Astragalus allochrous var. allochrous 11 Black-eyed Susan 8 Astragalus allochrous var. playanus 11 Black locust 14 Astragalus bisulcatus var. bisulcatus 12 Black mustard 9 Astragalus bisulcatus var. haydenianus 12 Black nightshade 21 Astragalus canadensis 12 Bluebonnet 13 Astragalus confertiflorus 12 Blue loco 12 Astragalus drummondii 12 Blue panicum 18 Astragalus emoryanus 12 Bouncing bet 10 Astragalus flavus 12 Bouteloua spp. 17 Astragalus lentiginosus var. diphysus 12 Bracken fern 19 Astragalus lentiginosus var. lentiginosus 12 Brassica hirta 9 Astragalus mollissimus var. earlei 12 Brassica kaber 9 Astragalus mollissimus var. mollissimus 12 Brassica nigra 9 Astragalus nothoxys 12 Broadleaf milkweed 5 Astragalus oocalycis 12 Bromus diandrus 17 Astragalus pattersonii 12 Bromus inermis 17 Astragalus pectinatus 12 Bromus rubens 17 Astragalus praelongus var. praelongus 12 Bromus tectorum 17 Astragalus praelongus var. ellisiae 13 Broom groundsel 8 Astragalus racemosus var. longisetus 13 Broom snakeweed 7 Astragalus racemosus var. racemosus 13 Broomweed 6 Astragalus tephrodes 13 Buckwheat 19 Astragalus thurberi 13 Bud sagebrush 5 Atriplex canescens 10 Buffalobur 21 Atriplex nuttallii var. cuneata 10 Bulrush 10 Atriplex rosea 10 Burclover 13 Avena fatua 17 Burrowweed 7 Avena sativa 17 Buttercup 20 B C pteronioides 6 Caesalpinia gilliesii 14 Bahia 6 Caltha leptosepala 19 Bahia oppositifolia 6 Canada milkvetch 12 Baileya multiradiata 6 Cannabis sativa 9

Circular 636 • Page 23 Carelessweed 4 D Cassia fasiculata 13 Castilleja spp. 20 Dallisgrass 18 Catclaw acacia 11 D a t u r a 21 Cattail 21 Datura stramonium 21 Celery 4 Datura wrightii 21 Centaurea repens 6 Daucus carota 4 Centaurea solstitialis 6 Dead nettle 15 Centaurium calycosum 15 Death camas 15, 16 Cercocarpus montanus 20 Delphinium barbeyi 19 Charlock 9 Delphinium nelsonii 19 Cheatgrass 17 Delphinium occidentale 19 Cheeseweed 16 Delphinium robustum 20 Chenopodium album 10 Delphinium virescens 20 Chenopodium ambrosioides 10 Descurainia pinnata 9 Chenopodium glaucum 10 Desert baileya 6 Chinaberry tree 16 Desert marigold 6 Chokecherry 20 Desert tobacco 21 Chrysothamnus nauseosus 6 Dock 19 Cibola milkvetch 11 Dogbane 4 Cicuta maculata 4 Dog fennel 5 Cloak fern 20 Down cheat 17 Cocklebur 8 Drummond milkvetch 12 Colorado rubberweed 7 Drymaria pachyphylla 9 Comandra umbellata 20 Drymary 9 Common groundsel 8 Dryopteris filix-mas 20 Common maize 18 E Common poppy 16 Common purslane 19 Elkslip 19 Common sorghum 18 Ellis milkvetch 13 Common tansy 8 Elymus spp. 17 Coneflower 7 Emory milkvetch 12 4 Equisetum arvense 11 Conyza 6 Equisetum hiemale 11 Conyza coulteri 6 Equisetum laevigatum 11 Copperweed 7 Eragrostis cilianensis 17 Corn cockle 9 Euphorbia 11 Cornlily 15 Euphorbia albomarginata 11 Corydalis aurea 15 Euphorbia esula 11 Cow cockle 10 Euphorbia maculata 11 Coyote tobacco 21 Euphorbia marginata 11 Creeping woodsorrel 16 Euphorbia prostrata 11 Crotalaria 13 Eyebane 11 Crotalaria sagittalis 13 Croton texensis 11 F Crowfoot 20 Fagopyrum sagittatum 19 Cultivated oats 17 False hellebore 15 Curlycup gumweed 6 Festuca arundinacea 17 Curlyleaf dock 19 Fewheaded aster 6 Cutleaf nightshade 21 Fiddleneck 8 Cynodon dactylon 17 Field pennycress 9 Cynoglossum officinale 8 Flax 16

Circular 636 • Page 24 Flourensia cernua 6 I Four-wing saltbush 10 Fowl mannagrass 17 Iceland poppy 16 Foxtail barley 18 Indian turnip 14 Foxtail chess 17 Inkweed 9 Frijolito 14 Iris missouriensis 15 Ironweed 8 G Isocoma wrightii 7 Galleta 17 J Gambeloak 15 Garden pea 14 Jackass clover 9 Glyceria striata 17 Jimmy fern 20 Goathead 22 Jimmyweed 7 Golden corydalis 15 Jimsonweed 21 Golden glow 7 Johnsongrass 18 Goosefoot 10 K Gossypium barbadense 16 Grama grasses 17 Kallstroemia hirsutissima 22 Gray aster 6 Kellogg’s spurred lupine 13 Greasewood 10 Kentucky bluegrass 18 Grindelia squarrosa 6 Kleinegrass 18 Groundcherry 21 Kochia 10 Gutierrezia microcephala 6 Kochia scoparia 10 Gutierrezia sarothrae 7 L H 7 Hairy caltrop 22 Lambert’s crazyweed 14 Hairy nightshade 21 Lambsquarter 10 Hairy vetch 15 Lamium amplexicaule 15 Halfmoon locoweed 11 Larkspur 19, 20 Halogeton 10 Lathyrus polymorphus var. incanus 13 Halogeton glomeratus 10 Leafy spurge 11 Haplopappus tenuisectus 7 Lechuguilla 4 Havard shinoak 15 Linum neomexicanum 16 Helenium autumnale 7 Linum usitatissimum 16 Helenium hoopesii 7 Lobelia cardinalis 9 Helenium microcephalum 7 Locoweed 12 Hemp dogbane 4 Lolium perenne 18 Henbane 21 Lotus corniculatus 13 Henbit 15 Lovegrass 17 Hilaria jamesii 17 Low whorled milkweed 5 Hilaria mutica 17 Lucerne 13 Hordeum jubatum 18 Lupine 13 Hordeum vulgare 18 Lupinus alpestris 13 Horsebrush 8 Lupinus argenteus 13 Horsenettle 21 Lupinus caudatus 13 Horsetail 11 Lycium halimifolium 21 Hound’s tongue 8 Lycopersicon esculentum 21 Hymenoxys odorata 7 Hymenoxys richardsonii 7 M Hyoscyamus niger 21 Maclura pomifera 16 Hypericum formosum 15 Malefern 20

Circular 636 • Page 25 Mallow 16 P Malus sylvestris 20 Malva parviflora 16 Paintbrushes 20 March marigold 19 18 Marijuana 9 Panicum capillare 18 Matchbrush 7 Panicum coloratum 18 Matchweed 6 Papaver nudicaule var. radicatum 16 Matrimony vine 21 Papaver somniferum 16 Mayweed 5 Paperflower 7 Medicago hispida 13 Parsnip 4 Medicago sativa 13 Partidge-pea 13 Melia azedarach 16 Paspalum dilatatum 18 Melilotus albus 13 Pasque flower 19 Melilotus officinalis 14 Pastinaca sativa 4 Mescal bean 14 Patterson locoweed 12 Mesquite 14 Peach 20 Mexican elder 9 Peganum harmala 22 Mexican poppy 16 Perennial ryegrass 18 Milkwort 19 Perennial snakeweed 6 Milo 18 Phoradendron flavescens 16 Mintweed 15 Physalis virginiana var. sonora 21 Mistletoe 16 Pigweed 4 Monkshood 19 Pimpernel 19 Mountain golden pea 14 Pingue 7 Mountain mahogany 20 Pinus ponderosa 16 Mountain pink 15 Pisum sativum 14 Plains bahia 6 N Plains whorled milkweed 5 Poa pratensis 18 Needle-and-thread 18 Poison hemlock 4 Nelson larkspur 19 Poison ivy 4 Nerium oleander 5 Poison suckleya 10 New Mexico feathergrass 18 Polygala sanguinea 19 New Mexico yellow flax 16 Ponderosa pine 16 21 Nicotiana attenuata Portulaca oleracea 19 Nicotiana glauca 21 Prairie thermopsis 14 Nicotiana trigonophylla 21 Prickly poppy 16 Nolina microcarpa 4 Prince’s plume 9 4 Nolina texana Prosopis glandulosa 14 var. 20 Notholaena sinuata cochisenis Prunus armeniaca 20 Nuttall saltbush 10 Prunus persica 20 O Prunus serotina 20 Prunus virginiana 20 Oakleaf goosefoot 10 Psathyrotes annua 7 Oleander 5 Psilostrophe sparsiflora 7 Orange sneezeweed 7 Psilostrophe tagetinae 7 Osage orange 16 Psoralea argophylla 14 Oxalis corniculata 16 Psoralea tenuiflora 14 Oxytenia acerosa 7 Pteridium aquilinum 19 Oxytropis lambertii 14 Puncturevine 22 Oxytropis sericea 14

Circular 636 • Page 26 Q Scouring rush 11 Scurf pea 14 Queen Ann’s lace 4 Sea-island cotton 16 Quercus gambelii 15 Secale cereale 18 Quercus havardii 15 Senecio flaccidus 8 R Senecio riddellii 8 Senecio spartioides 8 Ranunculus cymbalaria 20 Senecio vulgaris 8 Ranunculus sceleratus 20 Setaria lutescens 18 Raphanus raphanastrum 9 Sheep sorrel 19 Rattlebox 13 Shinnery 15 Rattleweed 12 Showy milkweed 5 Rayless goldenrod 7 Sideranthus grindelioides 8 Red brome 17 Silky crazyweed 14 Red clover 14 Silky sophora 14 Red orache 10 Silverleaf nightshade 21 Redroot amaranth 4 Silverline locoweed 13 Red shadscale 10 Silvery lupine 13 Red three-awn 17 Sium suave 4 Reverchonia 11 Sleepygrass 18 Reverchonia arenaria 11 Smooth aster 6 Rheum rhaponticum 19 Smooth brome 17 Rhubarb 19 Smooth horsetail 11 Riddell’s groundsel 8 Snakeroot 19 Ripgut brome 17 Snakeweed 6, 7 Robinia pseudoacacia 14 Sneezeweed 7 Rocky Mountain iris 15 Snow-on-the-mountain 11 Rocky Mountain red elder 9 Soapwort 10 Rough milkweed 5 Solanum elaeagnifolium 21 Rubber rabbitbrush 6 Solanum nigrum 21 Rubberweed 7 Solanum rostratum 21 8 Solanum sarachoides 21 Rudbeckia laciniata 7 Solanum triflorum 21 Rumex acetosella 19 Sophora secundiflora 14 Rumex crispus 19 Sophora sericea 14 Russian knapweed 6 Sorghum bicolor 18 Russian thistle 10 Sorghum halepense 18 Rye 18 Southwestern chokecherry 20 Southwestern St. John’s wort 15 S Spider antelopehorn 5 Sacahuista 4 Spiny cocklebur 8 Salsola tragus 10 Spiny horsebrush 8 Salvia reflexa 15 Spotted spurge 11 Sambucus mexicana 9 Spreading dogbane 4 Sambucus microbotrys 9 Spurge 11 Sand sagebrush 5 Stanleya pinnata 9 Saponaria officinalis 10 Stinging nettle 21 Saponaria vaccaria 10 Stinkgrass 17 Sarcobatus vermiculatus 10 Stinking milkvetch 12 Sartwellia 8 Stipa comata 18 Sartwellia flaveriae 8 Stipa neomexicana 18 Scirpus americanus 10 Stipa robusta 18

Circular 636 • Page 27 Suckleya suckleyana 10 W Sugar beet 19 Summer cypress 10 Water hemlock 4 Swamp milkweed 5 Water parsnip 4 Western aster 6 T Western cardinal flower 9 Western whorled milkweed 5 Tailcut lupine 13 Western yellow pine 16 Tall fescue 17 Wheatgrass 17 Tall larkspur 19 Whitebrush 22 Tanacetum vulgare 8 White clover 14 Tansy mustard 9 Whitethorn acacia 11 Tarbush 6 White loco 14 Tetradymia canescens 8 White mustard 9 Tetradymia spinosa 8 White sweetclover 13 Texas croton 11 Whorled milkweed 5 Thermopsis montana 14 Wild carrot 4 Thermopsis rhombifolia 14 Wild lettuce 7 Thimble weed 7 Wild oats 17 Thlaspi arvense 9 Wild pea 13 Thornapple 21 Wild radish 9 Threadleaf groundsel 8 Wild rye 17 Thurber milkvetch 13 Wintervetch 15 Tine-leaved milkvetch 12 Wislizenia refracta 9 Tobosa 17 Witchgrass 18 Tomato 21 Woolly locoweed 12 Toxicodendron radicans 4 Wooton locoweed 11 Trailing buttercup 20 Tree tobacco 21 X Tribulus terrestris 22 Trifolium hybridum 14 Xanthium spinosum 8 Trifolium pratense 14 Xanthium strumarium 8 Trifolium repens 14 Y Triglochin maritima 15 Triglochin palustris 15 Yarrow 5 Tumbleweed 10 Yellow bristlegrass 18 Turpentine weed 6, 7 Yellow milkvetch 12 Two-grooved milkvetch 12 Yellow rocket 9 Typha latifolia 21 Yellow starthistle 6 Yellow sweetclover 14 U Yerba-de-pasmo 6 Urtica gracilis 21 Z V Zea mays 18 Veratrum californicum 15 Zigadenus gramineus 15 Vicia villosa 15 Zigadenus paniculatus 16 Viguiera annua 8 Zigadenus venenosus 15

New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

February 2010 Las Cruces, NM Circular 636 • Page 28