W7 

 (leaf 2) 



that the species is poisonous to sheep, possibly also to goats and 

 cattle. Marsh - reports : 



Experimental work has proved that the plant is poisonous to sheep, but it 

 has been found difficult, under corral conditions, to make them eat it. 



At one time the livestock losses attributed to this plant were thought 

 due to accumulation of rubber latex in the stomachs and intestines 

 of the animals. In certain sections of the Southwest pingiie plants 

 are infested with grubs, especially in the roots, crown, and stem 

 bases, and sheepmen are often firmly convinced that their sheep losses 

 are caused by these grubs. Investigations by the late Dr. C. D. 

 Marsh, of the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, have proved that some toxic compound in the 

 plant causes the fatalities. 2 Symptoms of poisoning by pingiie are 

 similar to those evidenced in cases of poisoning by bitter rubber- 

 weed (Actinea odorata) and are given in the discussion of that 

 species which follows. Severe cases usually result fatally as there 

 are no known medicinal remedies. 



Undoubtedly pingiie has increased considerably on many of the 

 western ranges due to heavy grazing which has reduced or elimi- 

 nated the more palatable plants. Ordinarily, it is not sufficiently 

 grazed to cause injury except during shortage of other forage. 

 Hence, losses are more prevalent in late winter, early spring, 

 and at other times either before palatable forage has started or when 

 it is practically exhausted, especially on heavily used ranges. Losses 

 may also occur when very hungry animals are liberated in areas 

 where pingiie predominates, as the hungry animals seeking a quick 

 fill may consume a large amount of pingiie in a comparatively short 

 time. 



Pingiie grows from thick taproots, which usually divide into a 

 number of root crowns, each of which produces a more or less 

 branched, leafy stem from 4 to 15 inches high. The root crowns are 

 generally enlarged, bear the old leaf bases of the previous season's 

 growth and a copious supply of white or tawny, woolly hairs. The 

 leaves are mostly divided into three to five very narrow lobes. The 

 flower heads are generally numerous; the ray flowers, about three- 

 eighths to one-half of an inch long, are bright yellow with orange 

 veins. 



Bitter rubberweed (Acti'nea odora'ta, syns. Hymenox'ys odora'ta, 

 H. multiflo'ra). known locally as bitterweed and limonillo, occurs 

 from western Kansas to Arizona, western Texas, and south into 

 Mexico. It has also been reported from southern California, but that 

 is in dispute. 



During recent years, bitter rubberweed has caused heavy sheep 

 losses in Texas, especially in the Edwards Plateau, and this has led 



2 Marsh, C. D. STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OP THE RANGE. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bull 1245 

 rev., 75 pp., illus. 1929. Supersedes Bull. 575. 



