THE STRATHMORE WEED.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 307, 21 September 1908, Page 5

THE STRATHMORE WEED.

WAIRARAPA STOCK POISONED. Tho first case of Strathmore weed poisoning known in tho Wairarapa occurred some days ago. (writes cur, correspondent), when out of a number of draught horses stricken two died. The matter was reported to the local branch of tho Government Stock Department by the owner of the horses, and then reported by the Department to headquarters at Wellington. At the time of the death of the horses Mr. Daysh was under the impression that the illness had been caused through them drinking flax water. He noticed, however, little clumps of a weed very much like the garden daphne growing in the paddock whore the horses had been feeding, and he forwarded a specimen /of tho plant- with his report to the authorities. Mr, T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, who investigated tho matter, states that tho weed in question is native, and known by the names Mataikairanga and Strathmore. The name .Strathmore was. given after tho name of tho 'localitjvnear "Hawera, wli'ere." the first reported caso -of animal sickness ' through eating tho.-weed- was made known some-eight years ago. There appears-to be no remedy for tho illness, unless- an emetic may be administered, a.nd if horses have eaten heartily of tlio w.eed they usually die.raving mad at tho expiration ,of about four days. On the other hand, .if the weed is lightly taken, it servos as a tonic. . - •

There is a large amount of tho weed prevalent in the Dominion. There are two species, native plants, and tho Maoris use it, or used to do so, for medicinal purposes. It contains a largo amount of alcohol, possesses a very- sharp and bitter taste, and leaves a burning sensation in the throat lasting for sovern.l hours. The leaves are small,- something like those of ti-tree, and the flowers are white and waxy. At the present time of the year tho leaves arc very green and particularly poisonous. In New Zealand tho only known animals to cat of the weed are horses, and they will usually not do uo unless they arc "driven to it by hunger. In Queensland the weed is described as very dangerous. Mr. Bailey, tho Government botanist of that- State, informed Mr. Kirk that this plant was one of the worst of the poisonous herbs, which often caused tho loss of hundreds : of sheep. It is satisfactory to noto that so far New . Zcala.ud sheep have avoided the Strathmorc weed. Nevertheless it appears to be distinctly dangerous, and one wonders why it has not yet been added to tho noxious weeds schedule. The first symptoms of Strathmorc poisoning are loss of appetite, and then dullness, followed by tremors, staggering, distressed breathing, and convulsions, which in tho severe casos are followed by death. A horse will sometimes suffer for three or four days before convulsions. Horses which recovcv from the attack seem to got on very well afterwards., , • ■