DISTRIBUTION:
Grows in the south-western Cape near the coast, preferably in sandy soils. Important species in coastal Rhenosterveld. Broad strip approximately 100km wide along southern Cape coast.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
General: A perennial, aromatic shrub + 1,3 m high. Not very palatable.
Leaves: The grey-green to bright green alternate leaves are up to 40 mm long, ending in three to five “fingers”.
Flowers: Bright yellow, composite. November - March.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE:
Unknown hepatoxin. Not very toxic.
SYNDROMES:
Hepatogenous photosensitivity primarily due to liver parenchymal damage.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
Liver.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
• Unpalatable weed.
• Only occasionally grazed by sheep if forced to do so.
• Usually small number of sheep affected.
• Clinical signs noticed in sheep that grazed on veld heavily infested
with Athanasia trifurcata were:
- Apathy,
- anorexia,
- ruminal stasis,
- icterus and
- photosensitivity
NECROPSY:
• Very similar to Lasiospermum bipinnatum and Athanasia minuta poisoning.
• Liver swollen, yellow, distinct lobulation.
• Oedema of gall bladder.
