Eupatorium adenophorum
Diffuse herb up to 2m high. It has triangular ovate dark green leaves with glandular hairy petioles. From about November white buff flowers are seen in clusters for up to 6 months.
Plentiful in Northland and Auckland. Aggressive weed with no obvious preference for soil type. Capacity to infest a wide range of plant communities.
Unknown. May contain alkaloid 0.001%. Leaves are toxic.
Usually horses.
Respiratory disease. Cough reduced exercise tolerance, dyspnoea, with a double respiratory effort. Respiratory rales increase with exercise. Some horses lose weight. Severe disturbance of cardiac rhythm followed by death can occur.
Lungs fibrinoid. Some have thrombosis and infarction or cavitation of lung. Oedema, hydrothorax and emphysema.
Evidence of plant ingestion and clinical signs.
Pneumonia, allergy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in horses.
Remove from source, symptomatic care.
Can be fatal.
Conner H.E. The Poisonous Plants In New Zealand. 1992. GP Publications Ltd, Wellington
Parton K, Bruere A.N. and Chambers J.P. Veterinary Clinical Toxicology, 2nd ed. 2001. Veterinary Continuing Education Publication No. 208
4 October, 2007