Small lupine
General poisoning notes:
Small lupine (Lupine pusillus) is a native herb in the southern prairies. This species has been involved in poisoning of sheep (Fuller and McClintock 1986). See additional information under silky lupine Lupinussericeus).
Description
Rusty lupine is less than 1 ft. tall. Its stems branch near soil level and are covered with scurfy, rust-colored hairs. Flowers vary from deep, purplish-blue to white. Palmate foliage is shiny on top; hairy beneath.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Lupinus pusillus Pursh
Vernacular name(s): small lupine
Scientific family name: Leguminosae
Vernacular family name: pea
Lupinus pusillus Pursh
Geographic Information
Alberta, Saskatchewan.
Toxic parts:
Leaves, seeds.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Small lupine contains quinolizidine alkaloids, which have resulted in poisoning (Kingsbury 1964, Fuller and McClintock 1986).
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.
Sheep
General symptoms of poisoning:
breathing, labored
coma
convulsions
depression
muscle twitching.
