Paspalum dilatatum

Abstract

DISTRIBUTION: • It grows mostly in clay and loam soil in moist places. • Often a weed in gardens, cultivated lands and on roadsides.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: An erect or bent perennial tufted grass with short rhizomes. Grows up to 1,5 m high. Leaves: Leaf blades are flat. Rachis flat with the midrib raised on one side. Flowers: Inflorescence loose and flexible with 4 - 5 one-sided racemes. It has tufts of white hairs where the racemes join the central axis. November - February. Toxic principle: Dallis grass is susceptible to Claviceps paspali infestation; a dark coloured poisonous fungus that thrives on the spikelets and form hard, brownish bodies known as sclerotia or ergots.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Central nervous system.

CLINICAL SIGNS: • The staggers syndrome occurs predominantly in cattle. • Clinical signs usually appear 2 to 7 days after grazing on infected grass and include: - hypersensitivity, - tremors and - incoordination, which become more pronounced with exercise. • Severely affected animals may become recumbent and show typical heartwater-like paddling. • Appetite remains good and animals almost invariably recover after being removed from toxic pastures.

NECROPSY: No pathological changes have been described.

TREATMENT: Remove from infected pasture and allow to recover.