STOCK-POISOXIXG PLANTS OF THE RAXGE 7 



THE ARROW-GRASS FAMILY (JUNCAGINACEAE) 



ARROW GRASS (TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMA) 



Arrow grass is a grasslike plant growing usually in saline or alka- 

 line soil, in marshes about lakes, and in seepage regions. The picture 

 (pi. 2) shows its form. The long flower stem projecting beyond the 

 leaves is noticeable and the leaves, while grasslike, are fleshy and 

 half-round in section. It grows to a height of 2y 2 feet and some- 

 times covers large areas, and is found in all the northern continents 

 and in northern Africa. In North America it occurs from Labrador 

 to Xew Jersey and from Alaska to southern California and in wet 

 areas across the continent. It sometimes grows in small patches 

 near springs, but under favorable circumstances it may cover con- 

 tinuously many acres and frequently may compose a considerable 

 proportion of hay cut in swampy regions. It has long been known 

 to be one of the cyanogenetic plants, that is, one capable of producing 

 the very poisonous hydrocyanic acid. Rather recently it has been 

 found to cause considerable losses of livestock in the United States, 

 particularly of cattle. As in the case of other cyanogenetic plants, 

 toxic effects are produced when a considerable quantity is eaten in a 

 comparatively short time. Small quantities of the plant may be 

 eaten with no bad result. 



After hay is cut, where there is much arrow grass, the second 

 growth of the plant comes up more quickly than the grasses. When 

 cattle are grazed in such pastures there have been some rather heavy 

 losses. 



There is no efficient remedy for poisoning by arrow grass, but if its 

 poisonous character is recognized, losses can generally be avoided by 

 suitable handling of livestock. 



THE LILY FAMILY (LILIACEAE) 



DEATH CAMAS (SPECIES OF ZYGADENUS) 



The larger part of the losses of sheep from poisonous plants during 

 the spring and early summer months is due to the various species of 

 Zygadenus. or death camas. 



Plate 3, a picture of Zygadenus venenosus, gives a clear idea of 

 the general appearance of these plants. All the species have green, 

 grasslike leaves, which, at the early stages of growth, are not readily 

 distinguished from the grasses among which they may be growing. 

 "When in blossom, however, the yellowish-green or yellowish-white 

 heads of flowers are rather conspicuous. Some of these plants grow 

 in fairly dense masses, covering several acres. All grow from a bulb 

 which, in most cases, is rather deeply buried, and is not likely to be 

 pulled up by grazing animals. 



A number of popular names have been applied to these plants, but 

 death camas and poison sego are those most commonly used. In the 

 Pacific States perhaps lobelia is used more than any other name. It 

 would probably be well if there were a general adoption of the term 

 " death camas." 



The botanists recognize a number of species, but there are five with 

 which the western stockman is most likely to come in contact. 



