26 
BULLETIN 1245, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
of California. It is not so poisonous as A. gdlioides, but neverthe- 
less lias caused serious trouble. 
The most characteristic symptom in acute cases of poisoning by 
the whorled milkweeds is the presence of most violent convulsions, 
sometimes accompanied by a very high temperature. In milder cases 
the animals do not ex- 
hibit convulsions, but 
stagger about, the 
weakness being most 
pronounced in the hind 
legs. This condition 
may be prolonged sev- 
eral days. 
In Fig u r e 21 is 
show n a sheep poi- 
soned by the woolly- 
pod milkweed; and in 
Figure 22, a sheep in 
violent convulsions ' as 
the result of poison- 
ing by the Mexican 
w h o r 1 e d milkweed. 
ly-pod milk- F i g u r e 23 shows a 
sheep poisoned by the 
Great Plains whorled milkweed (Asclepias pumila) ; the animal has 
difficulty in standing, as indicated by the bracing apart of the hind 
legs. In Figure 24 is shown a horse poisoned by Asclepias galioides. 
In spite of the extreme illness, this animal recovered. 
Fig 
leep severely poisoned by w 
weed (Asclepias eriooa/rpa) . 
•pi as fremontii) 
in Plate XXXV, 
Other Broad-Leafed 
Milkweeds. 
Recent studies have 
sho w n that there is 
danger from other 
broad - leafed m i 1 k - 
weeds. For example, 
A.s cle 
shown 
and found in northern 
California, is as poi- 
sonous as the woolly- 
pod milkweed. Some, 
apparently, are harm- 
less. It is difficult for 
one not well posted in 
botany to distinguish 
between these plants, 
and, in the present state of our knowledge, it is best that the stock- 
man should prevent extensive grazing upon any of these plants. 
Milkweeds not Sought by Animals. 
The milkweeds are distasteful to animals and are never eaten by 
choice. When, however, hungrt stock are confined to areas where 
Fig. 
-Sheep poisoned by Mexican whorled milkweed. 
