Dr. Esam Elgorashi, specialist researcher in toxic and medicinal plants at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), says once these plants are consumed in sufficient quantities, however, it can have detrimental consequences for the animal. 

OFM News’ Elsabé Richard spoke to him about this…

See PODCAST below

Elgorashi explains that poisonous plants are plants that, when consumed by animals or humans in sufficient quantities, can cause diseases or harm which can also result in death.

He adds that sufficient quantities mean that some poisonous plants will have to be consumed in large quantities in order for it to cause disease or death, while with other plants only a small amount needs to be consumed to cause harm.

Poisonous plants could be a shrub, tree or even grass. Furthermore, Elgorashi adds that these plants’ lifecycle varies as some live for only a year while others can survive for two years or more.

He says certain plants are 100% poisonous while other plants are partially poisonous – such as their roots or leaves.

Some of these plants can affect only one organ of the animal, such as the liver, central nervous system, kidney or heart while some may affect more than one organ.

Elgorashi further adds that each poisonous plant has adapted to the characteristic climatic conditions of the area they are in. This, as some plants prefer growing in high altitude areas such as mountains, though others prefer desert or semi-desert areas. Some of these plants also strive in tropical and winter rain areas while others grow in poor soil or highly fertile soil. Shockingly some poisonous plants are found in gardens such as Lantanas and Nerium oleander plants.

Nonetheless, Elorashi says livestock tend to avoid toxic plants, but poisoning can occur in certain instances such as when there is a shortage of food. He explains that in this instance animals are forced to eat what is available, especially during a drought, after a veld fire, or when there are too many animals grazing in one area.

He adds that poisoning can also occur during spring before the rainy season commences. This, as some poisonous plants are first to grow.

Once these plants are consumed, Elgorashi explains that this could be heavy on the farmers’ pockets as they may have to deploy a veterinarian to their farm or lose their livestock. But, some of the poisoned animals may recover if they are kept away from toxic pastures.

Animals who become sick from these plants may develop reproductive failures such as loss of a pregnancy, give birth to dead calves or give birth to defective young – or they may fail to become pregnant in the first place.

“All those effects on the animals also affect the finances of the farmer. There are also additional costs that the farmer may incur, like consultations with veterinarians; the eradication of poisonous plants and the farmer may need to use supplementary feeding because their pasture is infested with toxic and poisonous plants,” explains Elgorashi.

He says farmers may need to fence areas where toxic plants grow and separate it from non-toxic pastures that the animals can eat.

Lastly, Elgorashi says remnants of poisonous plants can also affect the value of the land. He adds that a farmer will not buy a land that is infested with poisonous plants.

Tune in on the Agri Hour on Tuesday morning at 05:00 for part two of this topic, where we will look at what the symptoms are of an animal who consumed poisonous plants.

OFM News