Iceland poppy
General poisoning notes:
Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule) is an ornamental outdoor plant that occasionally escapes from cultivation. The plant contains alkaloids that may cause problems in animals that ingest it. Horses, cattle, and sheep were poisoned when discarded plants were given to livestock (Cooper and Johnson 1984).
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Papaver nudicaule L.
Vernacular name(s): Iceland poppy
Scientific family name: Papaveraceae
Vernacular family name: poppy
Papaver nudicaule L.
Geographic Information
Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.
Toxic parts:
all parts, plant juices
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Physiological alkaloids have been found in Iceland poppy (Kingsbury 1964).
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.
Cattle
General symptoms of poisoning:
Bloat, incoordination, muscle spasms, muscle twitching, nervousness, recumbency, restlessness.
Notes on poisoning:
Symptoms are similar in all species that have been poisoned, including initial restlessness and excitement followed by incoordination, spasms, falling, and bloat in some cases. Milk yield may be reduced (Cooper and Johnson 1984).
Horses
General symptoms of poisoning:
Bloat, incoordination, muscle spasms, muscle twitching, nervousness, recumbency.
Notes on poisoning:
Symptoms of poisoning include restlessness, incoordination, stiffness, muscular twitching, falling, and bloat. This poppy has rarely proved fatal (Cooper and Johnson 1984).
Sheep
General symptoms of poisoning:
Bloat, incoordination, muscle spasms, nervousness, recumbency.
Notes on poisoning:
Symptoms include restlessness, incoordination, muscular twitching, and falling down. Milk yield can remain depressed for long periods (Cooper and Johnson 1984).
