The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-04-29
FOR CATTLE MEN.
A Dangerous Range Plant.
Newspaper Bulletin NJ. al

t-'4"NF@sS- N-Atet4h ~ -Asl
A little later than this. each year. COM
plants come to the Experiment Station re-
spectiDg unusual deaths Of range stock.
chiefly cattle, suspected Of plant poisoning
Accompanying these reports are serious
theories respecting the identity Of
the suspected poisonous plants. "L1telia.
"Larkspur.' and Loco Weed" are names
offered as being the probable plant to which
these unusal deaths are to be aseribed
There seems TO be but little foundation
for suspecting these plants, however, since
the only representative OF the lobelia family
of plants known to be at all common in
Western Nevada. is an insignificant little
herb, having most un'nyiting wiry herhage.
While the plant is found very generally
scattered over the hills, it never oecurs in
abundance 1t does not appear until later
in the season than the deaths referred to are
reported; and furthermore. we have no well
defined reason for considering the plant
poisonous.
Respecting larkspur, it may be sad that
one kind is very common throughout the
western part of the State. Tufts of leaves
| appear in March, the flowers continuing dur.
ing May and June, the seed ripeuing in
June and July. 1t is so generally distrbut-
ed and so plentiful as to be accessible to
stock on any range, and thus, if poisonous
to any marked degree, would long ago have
come to be known as plant Of specific POI
sonous nature. Such does not seem to be the
case. Furthermore, feeding experiments
involving two closely related wild larkspurs
have been performed by the Colorado Ex.
pertinent Station (Bnlletin No. 25) where
tops and roots in ample quantity were fed
to separate animals "tWell developed,
healthy yearlng stee-s)" without effect in
any case.
Loco weed poisoning may have occurred.
Indeed, such has been reported. Certain
plants, at least closely related to the true
loco weed are known to occur on the ranges
of southern Washoe county, but theil
poisonous properties are yet to be establish.
ed In the special cases of poisoning report.
ed to the writer, the symptoms were not
those peculiar to loco poisoning, seemingly
dispelliug the theory of poisoning of thi;
character.
In May of 1885, the writer, ia company
with DR.. w, Men. Miller visited the vi
oinity of Alkali Lake near Purdy's Station,
where deaths had been reported. On sarch
the portion of the range where deaths had
occurred, numerous specimens of the plan
bearing the common names "wild sego' ant
"sand corn were found to have been eater
off, strengthening the theory of their pos
sible responsibility for the recent deaths
This theory is supported by the know
poisonous nature of this plant and some O
its near relatives.
Illustrated Newspaper Bulletin No en-
titled "A Poisonous Plant" relating to thi
plant, was distributed to the papers of tn
State, on May % 1898, and it is believe
{ printed by them shortly aiterward. Thi
article contained brief descriction of tn
, plant and it's habit, and an account of a
authentic case of po soning which has jus
| occurred at the Indian School at Carson
| where seven of the inmates had been poisor
ed by eating the bulb of this plant, spec
mems of which sent for Identification, accom-
painted the statement Of the case.
In view of comprehensive study Of tn
plant to be pursued at the Experimeu
1 Station, where its botanical, chemical an
t toxic properties will be thoroughly inves
n igated this bulletin is presented to call fort
such information from stockmen and othe
n az may add to the value of the more strict
), scientific studies contemplated,
q. F. II. HuLMAS,
!. Department of Botany and Entomolg
d Nevada Experiment Station, April |
e 1897.