DISTRIBUTION:
Widespread on disturbed soil, etc.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
General: Sprawling or occasionally climbing annual creepers with woody rootstocks, rough, hairy stems and spirally coiled tendrils.
Leaves: Deeply to shallowly lobed single leaves.
Flowers: The male and female flowers occur mostly on the same plant. 5-merous.
Fruit: The small cucumber-like fruits are oval to roundish, smooth or with fleshy prickles or spines.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE:
Toxin in fruit only and increases on ripening.
• Cucurbitacin A-L (and related compounds).
• Tetracyclic triterpenes (C 30 - compounds) and glycosides which are known as bitter principles (bitterstowwe).
• Extremely bitter - to protect plants against herbivores.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
Gastro-intestinal and respiratory systems.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
Large intake: Collapse and sudden death without notable symptoms. Lower intake: Diarrhoea, polypnoea.
NECROPSY:
Large intake: Lung oedema. Lower intake: Severe catarrhal to pseudomembraneous enteritis. Haemorrhages into lumen of g.i.t. Large amounts of typical seeds in g.i.t.
Treatment: Symptomatic and supportive. Avoidance: Avoid excessive intake. Supply enough food and water before sending animals into the veld.
