Recently on 'Burke's Backyard' Don explained the dangers of fireweed, a pretty yet poisonous yellow flowering weed that is often found in paddocks and pastures. This plant is poisonous to both horses and donkeys, and other livestock can also suffer from this widespread weed. It was first reported in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales in 1918. The plant has mid-green leaves on branched stems but its main characteristic is the mass of small yellow daisy flowers which are seen mainly from winter to spring. The flowers are a golden yellow and have 13 petals surrounding the yellow centre.
Seeds form quickly on the plant.
Each fireweed plant may produce as many as 30,000 seeds as a single yellow flower can produce between 100-150 seeds and there can be as many as 200 flowers per plant. The seeds are white and feathery and are often dispersed by wind but can also be spread by the movement of animals and birds. Fireweed can also be spread via mulch and feed. Horses, donkeys and cattle face the greatest risk of poisoning from this plant. Poultry can also be affected after eating fireweed.