Beware – poisonous trees

27 August 24

We have had a report from a client after a farmer lost a couple of cattle beasts after ingesting leaves/berries from a Cherry Laurel tree.

Unlike real laurels (e.g. bay tree and other π˜“π˜’π˜Άπ˜³π˜¦π˜­ sp.) the cherry laurel (π˜—π˜³π˜Άπ˜―π˜Άπ˜΄ 𝘭𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘀𝘦𝘳𝘒𝘴𝘢𝘴) and the Portuguese laurel (π˜—π˜³π˜Άπ˜―π˜Άπ˜΄ 𝘭𝘢𝘴π˜ͺ𝘡𝘒𝘯π˜ͺ𝘀𝘒) although morphologically similar to those of laurel, contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides (fruit) and prussic acid (leaves).

Consumption is toxic in humans, horses, cattle, cows, pigs, dogs, cats and small animals. Typical symptoms of poisoning are:

> Salivation
> Mucosal irritation
> Stomach and intestinal problems
> Breathing problems to respiratory paralysis

Veterinary treatment is recommended immediately if poisoning is suspected.

π‘π‘œπ‘‘π‘’: π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘”π‘’π‘’π‘ π‘’ π‘™π‘Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™ 𝑖𝑠 π‘“π‘Žπ‘Ÿ 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 π‘‘π‘œπ‘₯𝑖𝑐 π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘› π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Ÿπ‘¦ π‘™π‘Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™.

[Photo: daphnusia/ Shutterstock.com]