Alectryon excelsus
New Zealand Oak
A tree that grows up to 10 metres tall, with unequally pinnate shiny leaves up to 40 cm long with 4-6 pairs of leaflets (5-10 cm long) tapering to a point. Flowers are in very branched dull reddish panicles up to 30cm long. Fruit is a capsule 8-12mm long with large black shining seeds half embedded in a scarlet fleshy cup shaped aril.
None common. Chile hazel (Guevina), sometimes grown for its nuts, has similar leaves.
Common in forest from North Cape to Banks Peninsula and Westland. NZ native.
Cyanolipids in the plant release hydrocyanic acid, though this is not proven. Leaves, flowers and fruit.
There has only been one suspected case of poisoning in NZ when cows in the Hastings district died suddenly and titoki was thought to be the cause.
Sudden death
History of titoki ingestion.
No specific treatment is known. If cyanide poisoning is responsible for animal poisoning then treatment will be difficult as animals will die acutely. The treatment is the same as for cyanide poisoning. It is suggested that sodium nitrate can be given at 10-20 mg/kg iv, and sodium thiosulphate can also be given at a dose rate of 500 mg/kg iv.
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 February, 2009
