Common Poisonous Plants of Western Washington



Common Poisonous Plants of Western Washington That Affect Livestock*

|Common Name/ |Plant Type|Part of Plant |Degree of toxicity|Poisonous Compound |Cumu- |Livestock effects** |

|Scientific Name | | | | |lative? | |

|Baneberry |Forb |All, esp. roots |Moderate – Severe |Protoamemonin and | |Stomach cramps, dizziness, vomiting, |

|(Actaea rubra) | |& berries | |probably a glycoside | |circulatory failure, headache. European |

| | | | |or essential oil | |species have caused death. |

|Bleeding-heart |Forb |All |Mild – Moderate |Alkaloids | |Trembling, agitation, heavy salivation, |

|(Dicentra spp.) | | | | | |vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, |

| | | | | | |difficult breathing |

|Boxwood |Shrub |All |Moderate – Severe |Steroidal alkaloids | |Abdominal pains, vomiting, diarrhea. |

|(Buxus sempervirens) | | | |(buxine) | |Large doses can cause convulsions, coma &|

| | | | | | |death. |

|Bracken Fern (Pteridium |fern |all |Mild – Severe |Thiaminase enzyme, |yes |Thiamine deficiency, which can be fatal. |

|aquilinum) | | | |carcinogens , often | |Cumulative effects may include cancer. |

| | | | |glycosides (prunasin) | |Poisonous compounds can pass into milk. |

|Buttercups |Forb |All |Mild – Mod |Protoanemonin from | |Inflammation and blistering of skin, |

|(Ranunculus spp.) | | | |ranunculin glycoside | |gastrointestinal irritation. Usually only|

| | | | | | |present in fresh plants, not dried. |

|Camas, Death |Forb |All |Severe |Steroidal glycosidal | |Salivation, weakness, respiratory |

|(Zigadenus venenosus) | | | |alkaloid | |difficulty, nausea, convulsions, coma, |

| | | | | | |death |

|Cherry, Choke |Tree |Seeds, leaves, |Moderate – Severe |Cyanogenic glycoside | |Initial rapid breathing followed by slow,|

|(Prunus virginiana) | |bark | |(produces cyanide) | |difficult breathing, anxiety, excitement,|

| | | | | | |confusion, headache, vomiting, dizziness,|

| | | | | | |can cause death. Other related species |

| | | | | | |which may be poisonous include mountain |

| | | | | | |ash (Sorbus spp.), Hawthornes (Crataegus |

| | | | | | |spp.), Pyracantha, Cotoneaster |

|Clematis |Vine |All |Mild – Moderate |Protoanemonin from | |Inflammation and blistering of skin, |

|(Clematis spp.) | | | |ranunculin glycoside | |gastrointestinal irritation. |

| | | | | | |Usually only present in fresh plants, not|

| | | | | | |dried. |

|Cocklebur |Forb |All, esp. seeds |Moderate – severe |Glycosides | |Loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, |

|(Xanthium strumarium) | |& seedlings | | | |ataxia, spasms, in severe cases death |

|Common Name/ |Plant Type|Part of Plant |Degree of toxicity|Poisonous Compound |Cumu- |Livestock effects** |

|Scientific Name | | | | |lative? | |

|Cucumber, Wild |Vine |Fruit |Mild – Severe |Saponic glycosides | |Chest pains, shortness of breath, can |

|(Marah oreganus) | | | | | |cause death |

|Daffodil & Narcissus |Forb |All, esp. bulbs |Moderate – Severe |Alkaloids (glycoside) | |Dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, |

|(Narcissus spp.) | | | | | |vomiting, diarrhea. Large doses can |

| | | | | | |cause trembling, convulsions & death |

|Domestic plums, cherries, | |Seeds, leaves, |Mild- Moderate |Cyanogenic glycoside | |Initial rapid breathing followed by slow,|

|peaches, apricots, apples, | |bark | |(produces cyanide) | |difficult breathing, anxiety, excitement,|

|pears, | | | | | |confusion, headache, vomiting, dizziness,|

|(Prunus spp., Malus spp., | | | | | |can cause death in large quantities. |

|Pyrus spp.) | | | | | |Toxicity may be variable. Other related |

| | | | | | |species which may be poisonous include |

| | | | | | |mountain ash (Sorbus spp.), Hawthornes |

| | | | | | |(Crataegus spp.), Pyracantha, Cotoneaster|

|Elderberry |Shrub |Leaves, stems, |Mild – Moderate |Alkaloid & cyanogenic | |Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Raw fruits |

|(Sambucus spp.) | |bark and roots | |glycoside (produced | |can cause nausea. |

| | | | |cyanide) | | |

|European bittersweet |Vine |All, especially |Moderate – Severe |Alkaloidal glycoside | |Abdominal pain, headache, flushed skin, |

|(Solanum dulcamara) | |green berries | |(Solanine) | |tiredness. Severe cases include |

| | | | | | |vomiting, thirst, difficult breathing, |

| | | | | | |paralysis, dilated pupils, diarrhea, can |

| | | | | | |cause death. Green potatoes contain the |

| | | | | | |same chemical but in lower |

| | | | | | |concentrations. |

|Fiddleneck or Tarweed |Forb |All |Moderate |Thiaminase, |Yes |Appetite loss, timid, stupified, |

|(Amsinckia sp.) | | | |Pyrrolizidine | |incoordination, liver lesions, enlarged |

| | | | |alkaloids | |liver (same as Tansy Ragwort) |

|Foxglove |Forb |All |Severe |Digitoxin and other | |Contracted pupils, nausea, vomiting, |

|(Digitalis purpurea) | | | |glycosides | |cramps, severe headache, irregular |

| | | | | | |heartbeat, labored breathing, |

| | | | | | |convulsions, death, usu. a problem only |

| | | | | | |in hay |

|Golden Chain |Tree |All, esp. bark &|Moderate – Severe |Alkaloid (systine) – | |Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, |

|(Laburnum anagyroides) | |seeds | |similar effects to | |diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, |

| | | | |nicotine | |dizziness, fever, irregular heartbeat, |

| | | | | | |dilated pupils. Severe cases can have |

| | | | | | |convulsions, coma & death. The toxicity |

| | | | | | |varies widely. |

|Common Name/ |Plant Type|Part of Plant |Degree of toxicity|Poisonous Compound |Cumu- |Livestock effects** |

|Scientific Name | | | | |lative? | |

|Hellebore, False |Forb |All, esp. the |Moderate – Severe |alkaloids | |Abdominal pain, vomiting diarrhea, |

|(Veratrum spp.) | |rhizome | | | |paralysis, spasms. In severe cases can |

| | | | | | |cause death. Can cause birth defects if |

| | | | | | |eaten during certain gestation periods |

|Hemlock, Poison |Forb |All |Severe |Coniine and other | |Teeth grinding, muscle spasms, |

|(Conium maculatum) | | | |alkaloids | |respiratory failure, death |

|Hemlock, Water |Forb |All, esp. root |Severe |Cicutoxin | |Nausea, salivation, vomiting, |

|(Cicuta spp.) | | | | | |convulsions, fever, low hear rate, |

| | | | | | |abdominal pain, dilated pupils, delirium,|

| | | | | | |coma, respiratory paralysis, death. |

| | | | | | |Water Parsley (Oenanthe spp.) may contain|

| | | | | | |similar toxin. |

|Holly, English |Shrub |Berries, leaves |Mild |Glycosides and | |Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness. |

|(Ilex aquifolium) | | | |alkaloids | | |

|Horse Chestnut (Aesculus |Tree |all |Moderate - Severe |Saponin glycoside, | |Inflammation of mucous membranes, |

|hippocastanum) | | | |alkaloids | |vomiting, thirst, weakness, muscular |

| | | | | | |twitching, dilated pupils, stupor, |

| | | | | | |paralysis. Coma & death can occur in |

| | | | | | |severe cases |

|Horsetail |Fern-ally |all |Mild - Mod |Thiaminase |yes |Destroys vitamin B1 – Symptoms include |

|(Eqisetum arvense) | | | | | |weight loss, weakness, eventual death |

|Iris or Yellow Flag |Forb |All, esp. |Moderate – Severe |Glycoside | |Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, |

|(Iris pseudacorus) | |rhizomes | | | |diarrhea, fever, large doses can cause |

| | | | | | |death. |

|Ivy, English |Vine |All, esp. leaves|Moderate |Triterpene saponins | |Large quantities cause vomiting, |

|(Hedera helix) | |& berries | |(glycosides) | |diarrhea, spasms, staggering, paralysis |

|Knapweed, Russian and |Forb |All |Moderate | |Yes |Brain deterioration resulting in “Chewing|

|Yellowstar Thistle | | | | | |disease”, can eventually cause death by |

|(Centaurea spp.) | | | | | |starvation |

|Knotweeds |Forb |All |Mild |Oxalic acid | |Large quantities can cause interference |

|(Polygonum spp.) | | | | | |with calcium metabolism in the body & |

| | | | | | |possible phototoxicity |

|Lambsquarters |Forb |All |Mild |Oxalates | |Large quantities can cause interference |

|(Chenopodium album) | | | | | |with calcium metabolism in the body & |

| | | | | | |possible phototoxicity |

|Larkspur |Forb |All |Severe |Alkaloids (delphinine)| |Constipation, bloat, dilation of pupils, |

|(Delphinium spp.) | | | | | |vomiting, depression, paralysis, death |

|Common Name/ |Plant Type|Part of Plant |Degree of toxicity|Poisonous Compound |Cumu- |Livestock effects** |

|Scientific Name | | | | |lative? | |

|Lily of the Valley |Forb |All |Severe |Cardiac glycosides | |Burning pain in mouth & throat, |

|(Convallaria majalis) | | | |(digitalis-like) | |salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal |

| | | | | | |pain, headache, dilated pupils, slow & |

| | | | | | |irregular heartbeat, sometimes coma and |

| | | | | | |death. |

|Locust, Black or Honey |Tree |All |Mild – Moderate |Poisonous proteins | |Lassitude, nausea, vomiting, abdominal |

|(Robinia pseudo-acacia) | | | | | |pain, diarrhea, delirium, coma, death in |

| | | | | | |livestock in severe cases |

|Lupine |Forb |All |Moderate |Alkaloids (lupinine) |Yes |Birth defects, spasms, vomiting, nausea, |

|(Lupinus spp.) | | | | | |dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, & in|

| | | | | | |severe cases death |

|Nightshade, Black |Vine |All, especially |Moderate – Severe |Alkaloidal glycoside | |Abdominal pain, headache, flushed skin, |

|(Solanum nigrum) | |green berries | |(Solanine) | |tiredness. Severe cases include |

|Nightshade, Hairy | | | | | |vomiting, thirst, difficult breathing, |

|(Solanum sarrachoides) | | | | | |paralysis, dilated pupils, diarrhea, can |

| | | | | | |cause death. Green potatoes contain the |

| | | | | | |same chemical but in lower |

| | | | | | |concentrations. |

|Oak |Tree |All, but esp. |Slight |Tannins (?) | |Constipation, blood in urine |

|(Quercus spp.) | |acorns | | | | |

|Pea, Wild; Sweet Pea |Forb |Foliage, seeds |Mild |Toxic amino acids | |Paralysis, convulsions, death. Toxic |

|(Lathyrus spp.) | | | | | |only in large quantities. |

|Pigweed |Forb |All |Mild |Oxalates, nitrates | |Large doses can cause fluid accumulation |

|(Amaranthus spp.) | | | | | |around kidneys. |

|Poison Oak, Poison Ivy |Shrub/ |All |Mild – Moderate |Oleoresin (urushiol) |Yes |Itching, burning, redness of skin, |

|(Toxicodendron spp.) |Vine | | | | |blisters |

|Ponderosa Pine |Tree |Needles |Mild - Mod | | |Abortion |

|(Pinus ponderosa) | | | | | | |

|Ragwort, Tansy |Forb |All |Moderate |Pyrrolizidine |Yes |Liver lesions, enlarged liver, digestive |

|(Senecio jacobea) | | | |alkaloids | |disturbances, restlessness, lack of |

| | | | | | |coordination, weakness, staggering, |

| | | | | | |death. Liver damage is permanent. |

| | | | | | |Usually only eaten in hay or when wilted.|

| | | | | | |Drying or storage doesn’t destroy toxins.|

| | | | | | |Toxins can contaminate milk & honey. |

|Common Name/ |Plant Type|Part of Plant |Degree of toxicity|Poisonous Compound |Cumu- |Livestock effects** |

|Scientific Name | | | | |lative? | |

|Rhubarb |Forb |Leaves |Moderate |Oxalic acid & oxalates| |Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, |

|(Rheum rhabarbarum) | | | |(irritant poison) | |difficulty breathing, drowsiness, large |

| | | | | | |doses can cause convulsions, coma & |

| | | | | | |death. Oxalic acid interferes with |

| | | | | | |calcium metabolism as well |

|Scotch Broom |Shrub |All |Mild – Moderate |Quinolizidine | |Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, |

|(Cytisus scoparius) | | | |alkaloids | |abdominal pain |

|Serviceberry |Shrub |Leaves, twigs |Mild- Moderate |Cyanogenic glycoside | |Initial rapid breathing followed by slow,|

|(Amalanchier alnifolia) | | | |(produces cyanide) | |difficult breathing, anxiety, excitement,|

| | | | | | |confusion, headache, vomiting, dizziness.|

|Skunk Cabbage |Forb |All |Mild – Moderate |Calcium oxalate | |Physical irritation and swelling of |

|(Lysichitum americanum) | | | |crystals | |mouth, throat, etc. as crystals pierce |

| | | | | | |the skin |

|Snowberry |Shrub |Berries |Moderate – Severe |Alkaloids | |Vomiting, dizziness, semi-comatose state |

|(Symphoricarpos albus) | | | | | | |

|Sorrel |Forb |All |Mild |Oxalic acid | |Large quantities can cause interference |

|(Rumex spp.) | | | | | |with calcium metabolism in the body |

|St. John’s-Wort or Goatweed, |Forb |All |Mild – Moderate |Hypericin | |Photosensitization – blisters, swelling |

|Klamath Weed | | | | | |and lesions on the skin, particularly |

|(Hypericum perforatum) | | | | | |light-skinned animals. Subsequent |

| | | | | | |exposure has more severe symptoms. Loss |

| | | | | | |of appetite, diarrhea, increased |

| | | | | | |respiration & heartbeat, high temp., |

| | | | | | |blindness, convulsions, sometimes coma & |

| | | | | | |death. Symptoms are often delayed. |

|Swamp laurel |Shrub |Leaves, flowers |Mild – Moderate |Andromedo-toxin, | |Burning of lips, mouth, salivation, |

|(Kalmia sp.) | | | |arbutin | |nausea, severe vomiting, coma & death in |

| | | | | | |the most severe cases. |

|Tansy, Common |Forb |All |Moderate – Severe |Tanacetin | |Rapid pulse, stomach inflammation, |

|(Tanacetum vulgare) | | | | | |convulsions, abortion, occasionally |

| | | | | | |fatal. However, rarely grazed because of|

| | | | | | |strong taste and smell. |

|Common Name/ |Plant Type|Part of Plant |Degree of toxicity|Poisonous Compound |Cumu- |Livestock effects** |

|Scientific Name | | | | |lative? | |

|Vetch, Common |Forb |Foliage, seeds |Mild – Severe |Cyanogenic glycosides | |Amount of toxins in plants highly |

|(Vicia sativa) | | | |(produces cyanide) | |variable. Initial rapid breathing |

| | | | | | |followed by slow, difficult breathing, |

| | | | | | |anxiety, excitement, confusion, headache,|

| | | | | | |vomiting, dizziness, can cause death. |

|Yarrow |Forb |All |Mild |Glucosides & alkaloids| |If eaten in quantity can cause gastric |

|(Achillea millefolium) | | | | | |problems. |

|Yew |Tree |All, except |Moderate – Severe |Alkaloid (taxine), | |Gastroenteritis, nausea, vomiting, |

|(Taxus brevifolia) | |perhaps the | |ephedrine, cyanogenic | |diarrheas, rash, drowsiness, irregular |

| | |flesh around the| |glycoside | |heartbeat, labored breathing, trembling,|

| | |seed. | | | |collapse. Large amounts can cause death. |

* Most poisonous plants are not readily consumed because they taste bad or feel bad in the mouth. Most species

included in this list are not commonly grazed but may be consumed in hay, as shrub trimmings which are left accessible, as bulbs exposed through soil-turning activities, or if there is little other feed in the pasture

or confinement area.

** Many of these plants have similar effects on humans! The major symptoms and effects are

listed, but the list is NOT all-inclusive. Consult the local Poison Control Center for a complete

listing and information about treatment.

Sources: Plants that Poison Livestock in Thurston County, by Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Agency

Pasture Management for Horses and Ponies, by Gillian McCarthy

Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America by Nancy J. Turner and Adam F. Szczawinski

A Guide to Selected Weeds of Oregon (Supplement), by Hawkes, et.al., Oregon Department of Agriculture 1989

Compiled by: Marty Chaney, Pasture Management Specialist

USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service, Olympia, WA 12/99

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