Cypress spurge-Euphorbia cyparissias L.-Poisonous plant

Cypress spurge

General poisoning notes:

Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) is a naturalized herb found across southern Canada. Ingesting the plant has caused loss of cattle in New York State. This plant is usually avoided by livestock but is ingested if incorporated with hay. The plant is abundant in in some locations in southern Ontario. Some humans are sensitive to the irritant latex and may develop inflammation.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Euphorbia cyparissias L.

Vernacular name(s): cypress spurge

Scientific family name: Euphorbiaceae

Vernacular family name: spurge

Geographic Information

British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

The toxic compounds are found in the latex and seeds (Frohne and Pfander 1983).

Toxic parts:

Latex, seeds

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Unknown ingenanes, toxic diterpenes, are found in this plant (Frohne and Pfander 1983).

Toxic plant chemicals:

5-deoxyingenol
Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Collapse, death, diarrhea, weakness.

Notes on poisoning:

Cattle that have ingested hay containing large amounts of cypress spurge have had diarrhea followed by weakness, collapse, and death (Kingsbury 1964).

Horses

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Blistering.

Sheep