21. DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES, STAGGERWEED

Dicentra cucullaria

SQUIRRELCORN, STAGGERWEED

Dicentra canadensis

CULTIVATED BLEEDING HEART

Dicentra spectabilis

(poppy family)

TOXICITY RATING: Low. The plant is unpalatable and is not eaten when better forages are available. Also, larger quantities need to be consumed to show clinical signs, and only rarely is consumption of Dicentra lethal.

ANIMALS AFFECTED: Cattle are primarily affected, horses and sheep also appear susceptible. Due to the nature of the toxic component (morphine-like derivatives), all species are likely to be susceptible at sufficient dosages.

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Leaves, stems, roots.

CLASS OF SIGNS: Salivating, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, collapse, convulsions, neurologic signs (running with head held up).

PLANT DESCRIPTION: These delicate perennials with finely-cut, fern-like leaves bear 1 to 10 showy flowers on slender stalks. The 4 to 10 creamy white flowers of Dutchman's breeches (fig. 21A) have spurs like bloomer legs. The white-flowered squirrel corn (fig. 21) and pink-flowered bleeding heart plants bear heart-shaped petals with teardrop-shaped appendages at the bottom. Small, yellow, pea-like tubers are scattered along the underground stem of squirrelcorn. The wild staggerweeds are common spring wildflowers in established woodlands.

SIGNS: This plant is one of the first to grow in the spring. It is considered to be unpalatable, but may be consumed if no other forages are available. The plant contains isoquinoline alkaloids, such as apomorphine, protoberberine, and protopine. Debate exists over whether the plants cause immediate signs, or if the plant needs to be consumed over several days before signs develop. Clinical signs begin with salivation and difficulty in breathing. Later, colic (abdominal pain) and possibly diarrhea may be noted. The animals may run with held up high, become uncoordinated, and may collapse and exhibit convulsions. Some have reported a loss of milk production in affected animals. Other disorders resembling Dicentra poisoning may also occur in the spring, making a diagnosis difficult. Death with Dicentra poisoning is rare, and animals tend to recover on their own in a few hours after they are removed from the plant. A plant called Corydalis (fitweed) will cause similar signs in animals (similar toxic component).

FIRST AID: Remove all animals from the plant and provide adequate safe forage. Signs tend to resolve in a few hours. For seriously affected animals, or those who are very young or ill, a veterinarian can provide basic emergency care and provide relief.

SAFETY IN PREPARED FEEDS: Precise information could not be located. Consider Dicentra unsafe in hay and other prepared feeds.

PREVENTION: Provide adequate feed for pastured animals, especially in the early spring. Animals will avoid Dicentra if better feed is available. If animals continue to eat this plant, consider fencing off the area where Dicentra grows to limit access.