Yellow star-thistle
General poisoning notes:
Yellow
star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) has the same toxic effect on
horses as Russian thistle, which is more toxic. Chewing disease becomes
incurable once clinical signs are present (Cordy 1987). See the general notes
under Russian thistle.
Description:
Centaurea
solstitialis is a grayish-green plant with multiple rigid stems that extend in
all directions from the base, forming a bushy-looking cluster that can reach 2
metres (6.6 ft) in height and more than that in diameter. It produces bright
yellow flowers ringed with long, sharp spines. The plant grows quickly and is
very competitive. It bears a taproot that can reach 1 metre (3.3 ft) deep into
the soil, allowing it to thrive during dry, hot summers. It is versatile in its
growth patterns, and can adapt to drought or low soil moisture content by producing
smaller plants with fewer seeds during dry years.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Centaurea solstitialis L.
Vernacular
name(s): yellow star-thistle, golden
starthistle, yellow cockspur
and St. Barnaby's thistle (or Barnaby thistle)
Scientific family
name: Compositae
Vernacular family
name: composite
Geographic Information:
Manitoba, Saskatchewan,
Ontario.
Toxic parts:
All parts, leaves,
stems.
Toxic plant chemicals:
Unknown chemical.
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an
animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993)
contained no detailed explanation.
Horses
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Death,
incoordination, water intake, reduced.
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