Thursday, April 19, 2012


Alsike clover

General poisoning notes:

Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) is found most frequently in the farming areas of northern Canada. This plant is adapted to cool climates and heavy, poorly drained clay soils. Cases of photosensitization have occurred, sometimes accompanied by liver damage and enlargement. This problem has occurred mostly in horses and occasionally in cattle. There is also a potential for nitrate poisoning (Cooper and Johnson 1984, Cheeke and Schull 1985).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Trifolium hybridum L.
Vernacular name(s): alsike clover
Scientific family name: Leguminosae
Vernacular family name: pea

Trifolium hybridum
Trifolium hybridum

Geographic Information

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

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

Ingesting alsike clover causes photosensitization in horses and cattle. The toxic compounds have not been indentified. Nitrates may also accumulate in the plant (Cooper and Johnson 1984).

Toxic parts:

All parts leaves

Toxic plant chemicals:

Nitrate

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:

Breathing, labored, cyanosis, gait, staggering.

Horses

General symptoms of poisoning:

Blindness, depression, gait, staggering, liver, cirrhosis of, nephrosis, severe.

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