STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF THE RANGE 



57 



legs. In Figure 2i is shown a horse poisoned by A. gaMmdes. 



spite of the extreme illness, this animal recovered. 



In 



\\~< •< >lly-Fod Milkweed (Asclepias ekiocabpa) 



A broad-leafed milkweed, Asclt pias eriocarpa, known as the woolly- 

 pod milkweed (pi. -il). which grows in California, is very poisonous 

 and has caused heavy 



losses of sheep. The 

 prominent symptoms 

 of poisoning by woolly- 

 pod milkweed are 

 marked depression, loss 

 of appetite, diarrhea, 

 mucus in feces, low- 

 ered temperature, and 

 rapid pulse. This is 

 probably the most poi- 

 sonous of all the milk- 

 weed-. 



Other Broad-Lea eed 



Milkweeds 



Figure 



-Sheep poisoned by Mexican milkweed 



Recent studies have 



shown that there is 



danger from other broad-leafed milkweeds, though some, apparently. 



are harmless. It is difficult for one not well informed in botany 



to distinguish between these plants, and. in the present state of 



our knowledge, it is 

 best that the stockman 

 should prevent exten- 

 sive grazing on any of 

 these plants. 



Milk weeds Not Sought 

 by Animals 



The milkweeds are 

 distasteful to animals 

 and are never eaten by 

 choice. When, how- 

 ever, hungry stock are 

 confined to areas where 

 milkweeds are abun- 

 dant, they will eat 

 them for lack of better 

 forage and frequently 

 with disastrous result-. 

 There is little dang 

 animals are well fed. 



Figure 26. — A sheep poisoned by the Plains milkweed. 

 Asclepias pumila. The weakened condition of the 

 hind legs is noticeable, as in the Mexican milkweed 

 case 



from anv form of milkweed 



so 



lonj 



as 



There is no known successful way of treating milkweed poisoning, 

 excejn by prevention. 



