THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



(vi) Poison-plants concerning which further knowledge is required. 



In the Agricultural Gazette for March, 1913, p. 241, Mr. E. Cheel has a 

 note on the "White-flowering Passion Flower (Passiflora alba}, injurious 

 to stock," and the poisonous nature of these passion vines requires further 

 investigation. 



Pammel gives Anagallis arvensis, which we know as Scarlet Pimpernel, 

 the name of Poison Weed. He says it is poisonous to horses and dogs. It 

 and the closely-allied Blue Pimpernel (A. coerulea) are very old Sydney 

 weeds, having been recorded at least as early as 1802-4. They are found 

 in grass land, and, while they have sometimes been sent as suspected plants, 

 I cannot say that I have ever come across any direct evidence as to their 

 poisonous nature. Ewart sums up the situation, and we cannot shut our 

 eyes to the evidence, and must try and profit by it. 



I have dealt at such length with the effects of the Pea family (Leguminosae- 

 Papilionacea?), on stock that I will do little more than content myself with 

 giving the reference " Plants reputed poisonous to stock," Agricultural 

 Gazette, June, 1901, pp. 643-656. 



It may be added that in the Report of the Administrator, Northern 

 Territory, for the year 1912, p. 133, there is a paper " Poisoning of Goats due 

 to Ingestion of Orotalaria arbor ea" We have Crotalarias in New South 

 Wales, but not this species, and at least one of them has been suspected. 



The alleged poisonous character of a Crotalaria (Burlccand) has, however, 

 given rise to spirited arguments in South Africa, e.g., Agric. Journ. Union 

 of S.A., June, 1911, p. 721. Our knowledge of the effects on stock of many 

 of the indigenous Leguminosse reflects no credit on. us considering the 

 magnitude of our pastoral and farming interests. 



The common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Mcench.) is an irritant. 

 The Bureau of Microbiology at one time made some investigations, in 

 co-operation with the Stock Department, in regard to a skin disease in sheep 

 which had fed 011 buckwheat. It was believed to be identical with the 

 disease known as Fagopyrismus in Europe. Pammel's " Manual of Poi- 

 sonous Plants " points out that the feeding of buckwheat to pigs and other 

 animals and the eating of buckwheat cakes by man are well known to veteri- 

 narians as causing dermatitis or skin irritation, and this property should be 

 watched in regard to the ingestion of weeds belonging to the same family 

 (Polygonacea?) . 



Dr. Sydney Dodd has a paper on " Trefoil Dermatitis " in Journ Comp. 

 Pathol. and Therapeutics (1916). Medicago denticulata is one of the harm- 

 less Medicks (less correctly called Trefoils) associated with this distressing 

 complaint which causes great irritation to domestic herbivora in New South 

 Wales ; it has so far gone under the name " Aphis disease." 



The same paper also contains a note on " Fagopyrismus," and one on 

 the, skin irritation caused by St. John's Wort (Hypericum). 



Echium vulgare or plantagineum is the common Blue Weed or Pater- 

 son's Curse which, first running wild in the Albury district, has covered 

 large areas to the exclusion of almost any other vegetation, and is now 

 spreading over the country here and there. When I first urged the eradi- 

 cation of this weed, I was opposed on the ground that it gives picking for 

 stock, but recent research indicates that it is probably poisonous, causing 

 slavering. It should certainly be eradicated and burnt (before seeding), 

 whenever it makes its appearance on new ground, and closer settlement will 

 have to tackle the problem where it has taken possession of large areas. 



