Talk:Salvia lyrata

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I would concur with the identification as Salvia lyrata. Some species of Salvia are considered to be reasonable forage for livestock. However, there are a few species that are known nitrate accumulators, namely S. cocinea and S. reflexa. I find no reference to S. lyrata as being toxic. Most probably because it is not well grazed, due mainly to its aromatic nature. However, I too found anecdotal references that it can be a diaphoretic and laxative, but I cannot confirm or deny that. I have copied Dr. Reagor on this for him to add or take away from what I have said. hope this helps. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center identified the plant for me as being Salvia lyrata or Lyre-Leafed Sage. Being an herbalist and a maintainer of a very small prairie, I do realize that some plants actually will help livestock stay healthier. However, I am careful to eradicate all harmful species when I find them (such as the Nuttall Deathcamas around a tree in our open woods which is on some of our property). Thank you in advance for your reply. Wild onions grow freely in fields and will cause colic and death Oleander a major shrub used in landscaping is deadly This particular Salvia is not listed on Texas A&M's poisonous database. However ------ another Salvia is. http://texnat.tamu.edu/cmplants/toxic/plants/lanceleaf.html Maybe the Lyre-leafed Sage should be added to that. I will forward it to one of the doctors there ---- as long as it has indeed been confirmed as the culprit. The plant in the images is Salvia lyrata, Lyre-leaf Sage. It is common across the Southeast and grows as far west as Central Texas and as far north as Illinois and Connecticut . The open woodlands that you mentioned in your email are its natural habitat. However, we can find no indication that it is toxic to horses or any other animal. Of course, any horse-owner would want to verify that with their equine vet. The leaves are slightly hairy, green lobed and have beautiful purpled veins. http://texnat.tamu.edu/cmplants/toxic/plants/lanceleaf.html concerning Salvia Reflcxa (Lanceleaf Salvia, Rocky Mountain Sage) Salvia poisoning is not common, and only general clinical signs are reported: Muscular weakness, Diarrhea, Colic Animals that die after consuming, contaminated hay show post-mortem evidence of gastrointestinal inflammation and liver necrosis. Integrated management strategies There are no documented reports of this plant causing poisoning under range or pasture conditions, although it has been susected. Nevertheless, it has been proven toxic when consumed as a contaminant in hay and should therefore be considered potentially toxic to grazing animals. Look for this plant in hay as well as in hay fields before mowing. http://www.cvm.tamu.edu The toxic agent is unknown. Reported cases of poisonings in the United States are limited to cattle and horses that consumed contaminated hay. Experimental feeding trials have shown that sheep are also susceptible. Although the plant has been proven toxic, it is not known how much of the plant material must be eaten to cause toxicity. In one confirmed case, alfalfa hay contained about 10 percent lanceleaf salvia. Dr Chas R Hart, Texas A&M University, list of toxic plants http://texnat.tamu.edu/cmplants/toxic/plants/lanceleaf.html Nuttall deathcamas is a perennial herb arising from a bulb with a black, papery outer coating. Its unbranched, erect, leafy stalk grows to 15 to 30 inches tall. The mostly basal, curved leaves may be up to 15 inches long on larger specimens. The stalk terminates in a yellowish-white spike of flowers that give rise to egglike seed capsules. Deathcamas contains alkaloids toxic to all livestock species, but it causes very few poisonings because it is unpalatable. Animals consuming as little as 0.25 percent of their body weight of green plants may display signs of poisoning in a few hours. Sheep have been known to eat the young plants in early spring when other forage is scarce. However, most of the deathcamas in Texas grows where there are few sheep. Humans have been poisoned after mistaking the bulbs for onions. Nuttall Deathcamas, Deathcamas (Zigadenus nuttallii) A broad spectrum herbicide is effective in reducing Salvia Lyrata contamination in pastures growing fodder, and forage products like alfalfa, and hay. A mixture of 40:1 dimethylamine salt of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 33% distributed with an anti-drift spray solution of water at a rate of 41 gallons per acres can be effective against Salvia contamination during late winter, or early spring when wildflower blooming stages first appear. StationNT5Bmedia (talk) 22:43, 11 March 2008 (UTC)