Friday, May 4, 2012

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
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.

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