Marsh arrow-grass-Triglochin palustre L.-Poisonous plant

Marsh arrow-grass

General poisoning notes:

Marsh arrow-grass (Triglochin palustre) is a native plant that is found sporadically across Canada in damp brackish or calcareous places. A cyanogenic glycoside, triglochinin, is found in the plant. This chemical becomes more abundant during times of moisture depletion within the plants. Occasional poisoning occurs with cattle and sheep in the lower Cariboo district of British Columbia (Majak et al. 1980, Looman et al. 1983).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Triglochin palustre L.

Vernacular name(s): marsh arrow-grass

Scientific family name: Juncaginaceae

Vernacular family name: arrow-grass

Geographic Information

Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory.

Toxic parts:

Flowers, leaves

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

A cyanogenic glycoside, triglochinin, is found in marsh arrow-grass. This chemical is also the main toxic component of seaside arrow-grass (Majak et al. 1980).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Triglochinin.

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:

Convulsions, death, nervousness, recumbency, salivation.

Notes on poisoning:

In all animals, symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of cyanide poisoning, including convulsions, nervousness, trembling, and recumbency, followed by death. The blood is bright red Looman et al. 1983).

Sheep

General symptoms of poisoning:

Convulsions, nervousness, recumbency, salivation.