Heaths

A number of shrubs of the heath family such as: Labrador Tea, Rhododendron, Rusty Leaf, and Swamp-Laurel are poisonous to livestock. they are grouped together because they have similar growth habits distributions, toxic principles, and symptoms of poisoning. Sheep are most commonly affected, since the plants are seldom grazed by cattle unless other feed is short and since most of the localities where these plants are found are used as sheep range. Because the leaves of most of these species are leathery or bitter their palatability is rather low. Symptoms are salivation, an increased flow of secretions from the nose, convulsions and paralysis of limbs, emesis (possibly bile-stained), and dehydration.


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