Cotula nigellifolia
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Date
Authors
Botha, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)
Venter, Elna
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Abstract
DISTRIBUTION:
It grows in damp places, near or even in water, and prefers shady areas.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: An indigenous perennial, herbaceous weed. More or less spreading, but some stems can grow up to a height of 30 to 60 cm. The soft stems are greyish green, but become reddish-purple at times. Leaves: The simple greyish green leaves are deeply incised. Flowers: The inflorescence is a daisy-like flower borne on a thin green stalk with white outer flowers and yellow disc-florets. September - April. Fruit: The seeds are small and oblong.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE: Unknown neurotoxin – causes encephalitis.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Central nervous system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: Only a problem with cattle especially in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Sheep and horses not susceptible. • CNS suppression characterized by: - apathy, - very tame, - easy handling, - aimless wandering and - apparent blindness • Incoordination, which can progress to paresis and eventually paralysis. - Uncertain when walking, knuckling over • Pushing syndrome - can only lean against or actively push against firm objects • Loss of weight (chronic cases) because they don’t eat or drink.
NECROPSY: Macroscopical findings: • Nothing obvious. • Only signs of trauma and weight loss.
HISTOPATHOLOGY: Encephalitis characterized by perivascular gliosis and lymphocyte infiltration in white matter of the brain and status spongiosus.
DIAGNOSIS: • Histopathology changes are characteristic • Typical clinical signs.
TREATMENT: • None • Keep the animal away from infected areas in times of food scarcity.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: An indigenous perennial, herbaceous weed. More or less spreading, but some stems can grow up to a height of 30 to 60 cm. The soft stems are greyish green, but become reddish-purple at times. Leaves: The simple greyish green leaves are deeply incised. Flowers: The inflorescence is a daisy-like flower borne on a thin green stalk with white outer flowers and yellow disc-florets. September - April. Fruit: The seeds are small and oblong.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE: Unknown neurotoxin – causes encephalitis.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Central nervous system.
CLINICAL SIGNS: Only a problem with cattle especially in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Sheep and horses not susceptible. • CNS suppression characterized by: - apathy, - very tame, - easy handling, - aimless wandering and - apparent blindness • Incoordination, which can progress to paresis and eventually paralysis. - Uncertain when walking, knuckling over • Pushing syndrome - can only lean against or actively push against firm objects • Loss of weight (chronic cases) because they don’t eat or drink.
NECROPSY: Macroscopical findings: • Nothing obvious. • Only signs of trauma and weight loss.
HISTOPATHOLOGY: Encephalitis characterized by perivascular gliosis and lymphocyte infiltration in white matter of the brain and status spongiosus.
DIAGNOSIS: • Histopathology changes are characteristic • Typical clinical signs.
TREATMENT: • None • Keep the animal away from infected areas in times of food scarcity.
Description
Colour photos. Final web-ready size: JPEG, 72 ppi. Photo 1: 7.42 kb; Photo 2: 88.4 kb; Photo 3: 30.2 kb. Original TIFF file housed at the Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, Section Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Pretoria.
Keywords
Plant poisoning, Toxicology, Plant poisoning in animals, Poisonous plants, Encephalitis, Neurotoxin
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Botha, CJ & Venter, E 2002, 'Plants poisonous to livestock Southern Africa (CD-ROM)' University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, Section Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pretoria, South Africa.