DISTRIBUTION:
Usually in grassland. C. dura grows from sea level to 900 m above, while C. globifera can grow up to 1 500 m above sea level.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
General: C. dura and C. globifera are both shrublets with woody rootstocks and annual aerial stems and branches.
Leaves: The leaves are trifoliate.
Flowers: Terminal yellow inflorescences with pea-like flowers.
Fruit: The seeds are carried in pods.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE:
The active principles of Crotalaria spp. worldwide are the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (dicrotaline, monocrotaline) mainly responsible for severe liver and/or lung damage in stock.
SYNDROMES:
Jaagsiekte.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
Respiratory system.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
“Jaagsiekte” in horses. Fever, polypnoea, dyspnoea, subcutaneous and pulmonary emphysema, interstitial pneumonia and liver fibrosis.
