Astragalus (A. adsurgens)
General poisoning notes:
Astragalus adsurgens is a native herb found across western Canada. This plant has the potential to accumulate toxic levels of selenium, which would cause symptoms in cattle and probably other livestock. Cases of livestock poisoned by this plant could not be found in the literature.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Astragalus adsurgens Pall.
Vernacular name(s): Astragalus (A. adsurgens)
Scientific family name: Leguminosae
Astragalus adsurgens Pall.
Geographic Information
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Toxic parts:
Leaves, stems
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Astragalus adsurgens has been found to accumulate selenium well above the minimum amount of 5 mg/kg required for the existence of selenium poisoning in sheep and cattle. Some plants collected in Canada contained 44 mg/kg of selenium (Davis 1986).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Selenium
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
