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The potential toxicity of Australian weeds to goats

The potential toxicity of Australian weeds to goats

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BRYOPHYLLUM SPP<br />

Alternative Name:<br />

Mother <strong>of</strong> millions, kalanchoe tubiflora,<br />

mission bells, christmas bells<br />

Toxicity <strong>to</strong> Goats:<br />

Toxic, moderate risk<br />

Toxicity <strong>to</strong> Other Species:<br />

Toxic <strong>to</strong> cattle, sheep, horses and donkeys<br />

Palatability: Seldom eaten<br />

Poisonous Principle:<br />

Bufadienolide cardiac glycocides<br />

Effects:<br />

Signs and symp<strong>to</strong>ms; Depression, diarrhoea,<br />

slow irregular heart beat and eventually<br />

heart block.<br />

Health and production problems; Rapid death<br />

in many cases.<br />

Integrated Control Strategy:<br />

GARDEN ESCAPEE<br />

Spot spray with 2,4-D amine, and a wetting<br />

agent.<br />

Dig out very carefully in<strong>to</strong> disposable bags,<br />

and remove.<br />

Do not feed these plants <strong>to</strong> any lives<strong>to</strong>ck.<br />

This is a declared “Noxious Weed” in parts <strong>of</strong><br />

eastern NSW and Queensland.<br />

Comments:<br />

It is generally only a problem between late<br />

autumn and early spring when the plant is<br />

flowering. Ruminants, such as the goat, display<br />

more <strong>to</strong>lerance for this type <strong>of</strong> poisonous plant<br />

than do horses and donkeys.<br />

An erect perennial plant up <strong>to</strong> sixty cms high,<br />

with thick, fleshy succulent leaves <strong>of</strong> various<br />

shapes, and spikes <strong>of</strong> bell-shaped orange<br />

flowers. Usually very conspicuous when<br />

flowering in winter.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are two main varieties with tubular, or<br />

V-shaped cross-section <strong>of</strong> the leaves.<br />

13<br />

Propogation is by plantlets attached <strong>to</strong> the<br />

edges <strong>of</strong> the leaves, and shed by the parent<br />

plant. Thus a whole mat <strong>of</strong> the weed grows<br />

over large areas.

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