354 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



About 100 species found in temperate and tropical regions. The Stipas 

 often produce injurious effects upon animals. 



Injurious properties. It has long been known that Stipa capillata, L.. in- 

 digenous to Russia, and the Stipa sported, Trin., and 5. avenacea, h., native to 

 North America, as well as Aristida hygrometrica Br., native of Queensland, 



Fig. 145. Esparto Grass {Stipa ienacissima). Used for mak- 

 ing paper, ropes and mats. It is not known whether this species, 

 like the St. inebrians and the S. sibrica, acts like a narcotic on ani- 

 mals. (Baillon Diet.). 



and Heteropogon contortus, L., native of New Caledonia, frequently bore into 

 the skin and intestines of lower animals where they cause fatal inflammation 

 and peritonitis. Prof. Blanchard in a recent number in "Archives de Parasit- 

 ologie" calls attention to injurious properties of Stipa Neesiana which is found 

 in Uruguay and other countries of South America. In this case the needles 

 injure the eyes producing in intense keratitis often followed by inflammation 

 of the cornea. Sheep become blind and thus are unable to get food, hence 



