Plant names/facts Flashcards
What is the scientific name of bracken fern?
Pteridium aquilinum
where does pteridium like to grow?
Dry, upland, sandy soils, found worldwide
How is the bracken fern toxic?
All parts of the plant are toxic, ptaquiloside- toxic to ruminants, causing aplastic anemia, carcinogen
Thiaminase- destroys thiamine in horses
Clinical signs of bracken fern poisoning?
Ruminants-aplastic anemia, fever, nasal discharge, hemorrhage (due to low platelets), bright blindness due to retinal degeneration (sheep)
Horses- thin, bradycardia with arrhythmia, incoordination
How do you treat pteridium poisoning?
Ruminant- antibiotics, blood transfusion
Horse- thiamine supplement
What is the scientific name of horsetail?
Equisetum (arvense)
What is the scientific name of scouring rush?
Equisetum (hyemale)
What is the toxicity of equisetum?
Horses- thiaminase activity, destroys thiamine
What is the scientific name of sensitive fern?
Onoclea (sensibilis)
Where does onoclea like to grow?
Moist woods, thickets, meadows
What is the toxic principle of sensitive fern?
Unknown- causes liver damage and neuronal degeneration
What is a fern?
Flowerless, seedless, vascular plant that reproduces via spores
What is the scientific name of sweet clover?
Melilotus (alba)
Where does melolitus like to grow?
Canada and Northern states, drought resistant and salt tolerant
What is the toxic principle of sweet clover?
Not toxic when fresh, contains coumarin which is converted to dicoumarol (warfarin) by mold
