Poisonous Plant Quiz
| Author: |
Penny Lawlis - Animal
Care Specialist/OMAFRA |
| Creation Date: |
Not Available |
| Last Reviewed: |
November
2003 |
|
Sorry! That's the wrong answer. This weed is St. John's-Wort,
which occurs throughout Ontario in pastures, edges of woodlots,
roadsides, abandoned fields, water areas and occasionally in
lawns and lower borders.
If eaten by horses, St. John's-Wort may cause photosensitization,
since this weed contains black dots composed by hypercin, a
pigment that is absorbed by the body and activated by exposure
to sunlight. Ingestion can result in a condition in which patches
of white or light-coloured skin become seriously sunburned under
normal exposure to sunlight.
|

St. John's-Wort
|
Symptoms:
- photosensitivity
- inflammation of the unpigmented portion of the skin
- affected area becomes sore and reddened and may peel
- tongue and mouth may be affected
Treatment: Avoid pasturing horses where this weed is abundant or
keep animals under shade during normal sunny days.
A veterinarian should be consulted immediately for supportive treatment
to reduce the damage caused by ingestion of poisonous plants.
Next Question
| Top of Page |
For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
|