fetterbushShrub similar to L. axillaris but with deciduous leaves, 3 to 9 cm long and 1 to 4 cm wide. The racemes of flowers are terminal and bear flowers on only one side. Seeds wingless, .8 to 1.2 mm long. Distribution similar to L. axillaris but perhaps extending farther north.
Shrub up to 1.5 m tall with green, slightly arching branches. Leaves alternate, simple, evergreen, lanceolate to elliptic, 5 to 13 cm long, 1.5 to 5 cm wide. Racemes 2 to 7 cm long, bearing white flowers on all sides of the rachis; flowers 2 to 6 mm long. Fruit, a capsule 3 to 3.5 mm long, 5 to 6 mm broad. Seed shiny, light brown, 1 to 1.4 mm long. Found Virginia to Florida to Mississippi in coastal plain and sometimes in adjacent piedmont; mostly in bogs, along streams, swamp forests and moist woods.
Shrub similar to L. axillaris but with deciduous leaves and growing to 4 m tall. Differs from L racemosa in that the anthers are four-awned while they are two-awned for L racemosa. The capsule of L. racemosa is rounded on the sutures and the seeds are wingless and.3 to 1.2 mm long while the capsule is angular and seeds winged and 2 to 2.5 mm long for L recurva. L. recurva is found primarily in rocky woods at higher elevations in Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
TOXICITY
The resinoid, andromedotoxin, and a glucoside, arbutin, are the toxic principles responsible for symptoms. Sheep, goats and cattle are susceptible to poisoning if they consume the plant, especially the leaves.
There are recorded cases of toxicity in humans and monkeys. Most clinical cases of toxicity are seen in the winter and early spring months. When other forage is not available, livestock may consume the toxic plants.
SYMPTOMS
Signs of toxicity occur usually within six hours after consuming the plants. Symptoms include incoordination, excessive salivation, vomiting, bloat, weakness, muscular spasms, coma and death. The animals are often found down, unable to stand, with their head weaving from side to side.
TREATMENT
Animals should not be drenched or given medicine by mouth in severe cases since they may be unable to swallow due to weakness of the throat muscles. The administration of mineral oil or saline laxatives by stomach tube is suggested. In addition, intravenous electrolyte solutions may be used.
maleberryShrubs 2 to 3 m tall, usually in clumps from underground rhizomes. Leaves alternate, deciduous, pubescent on both sides, obovate to elliptic, 3 to 7 cm long, 1 to 3.5 cm wide, finely serrate to entire. Flowers white, globular, 3 to 5 mm long, borne in clusters at ends of branches. Fruit a dry, globose, pubescent capsule, 2.5 to 3 mm long. Seeds very narrow, 1.5 to 2 mm long. Found throughout the southern states east of the Mississippi River; dry woods or thickets to moist or wet habitats.
TOXICITY
The resinoid, andromedotoxin, and a glucoside, arbutin, are the toxic principles responsible for symptoms. Sheep, goats and cattle are susceptible to poisoning if they consume the plant, especially the leaves.
There are recorded cases of toxicity in humans and monkeys. Most clinical cases of toxicity are seen in the winter and early spring months. When other forage is not available, livestock may consume the toxic plants.
SYMPTOMS
Signs of toxicity occur usually within six hours after consuming the plants. Symptoms include incoordination, excessive salivation, vomiting, bloat, weakness, muscular spasms, coma and death. The animals are often found down, unable to stand, with their head weaving from side to side.
TREATMENT
Animals should not be drenched or given medicine by mouth in severe cases since they may be unable to swallow due to weakness of the throat muscles. The administration of mineral oil or saline laxatives by stomach tube is suggested. In addition, intravenous electrolyte solutions may be used.
