Spikelets 4 to 6 min long enclosing a 2 mm long grain. Particularly abundant in rich delta la such as in Mississippi. Once widely cultivated as a hay and pasture crop. Under conditions of drought, trampling, frost, or second growth, the plants may contain cyanide. In addition, if heavily fertilized with nitrogen, there is a possibility of nitrate poisoning if the plants are drought stricken.
All animals can be poisoned by cyanide, however, ruminants are more susceptible.
Nitrate poisoning occurs most commonly in ruminants, although cases of nitrite poisoning have occurred in monogastric animals. Animals may show signs within 15-30 minutes after consuming plants containing cyanide and may die very quickly. The blood is usually bright red. In nitrate poisoning, the symptoms are similar except the blood is characteristically chocolate-brown. For nitrate poisoning, two percent methylene blue is specific.