Re: RC: Re: Locoweed is Jimsonweed

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Now this is really interesting, Donna
Your loco weed looks NOTHING like the kind we have in CA. Ours has
billowy "pillow-lookin" blooms that are multiple up the stem, again
looking much like sweet peas--- its relative here.
I guess we have to be sure of our geographical area before talking about
this nefarious plant. The poisonous nature of yours sounds the same---
just looks nothing like ours.
Where IS that book! If I can find it, I'll scan the pic and send so you
Californians know what to watch out for.
Bette
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov	
(Yes, really 16.2!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com
"guest@endurance.net" wrote:
> 
> Donna Dochterman 		
> Hi Tina,
> 
> Although Jimsonweed (Datura spp) is sometimes erroneously called loco weed, the only species I know of that will eat it when other food is available is human.  Small children seem to be attracted to the flowers and of course the name Jimson weed is a corruption of Jamestown weed where the early settlers discovered its hallucinogenic properties when they added it to a salad.  You can see pictures of Jimsonweed at http://texnat.tamu.edu/cmplants/toxic/text/jimson.htm
> 
> The plant more commonly recognized by the common name of loco weed is Astragalus mollissimus.  You can see pictures of it at http://texnat.tamu.edu/cmplants/toxic/text/loco.htm  It is a very attractive plant and livestock will graze on it even when other feed is available.  If good quality forage is available, they will rarely start grazing locoweed but it appears to be addictive.  Once livestock have started eating it, they will seek it out even if good quality forage is available.
> 
> Neither of these is at all desirable in a pasture but the presence of Astragalus would be a bigger concern to me than Datura.
> 
> This kind of confusion is why, whenever possible, it is good to learn the scientific names rather than just the common names of plants.
> 
> Donna Dochterman
> Dokada Arabians
> http://members.tripod.com/~DokadaArabians/index.html
> 
> "Don't wish it was easier; wish you were better.
> Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills.
> Don't wish for less challenge; wish for more wisdom."
> Jim Rohn
> 
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