These toxins are related to strychnine. Livestock are affected, usually in the winter and spring months, from eating any parts of the plant. Humans have been known to be poisoned from sucking the nectar from the flowers or from eating honey made from these flowers. Bee deaths have been blamed on the nectar. Often the animals are found down in comatose condition.
Death usually occurs soon after the animal becomes comatose.
There is no specific treatment.