Asclepias spp., sometimes known as milkweed, is a common garden and roadside native plant distinguished by its milky sap. Additionally poisonous to people, animals, and pets. But it can be controlled to stop accidental poisonings.
IUCN, the biggest environmental network in the world, declared the migratory monarch a threatened species in July 2022. The sole plant that serves as a host for the larva of the monarch butterfly, milkweed, has been added by many homeowners to their list of annual and perennial landscaping options as a result of the species’ long-term decline in population.
Milkweed Poisoning and How to Safely Grow Toxic Milkweed
In addition to serving as a host plant for monarch and queen butterflies, milkweed is popular in butterfly gardens because it attracts various insects, including bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Due to habitat loss and climate change, the number of migratory monarch butterflies is declining.
In North America, milkweed is widespread, and either contains cardiac glycosides or a unique neurotoxic found only in whorled milkweed. The pollutants may all impact the neurological system, kidney, and cardiac functions. Although milkweed poisoning most often affects horses, the question “Is milkweed dangerous to dogs?” is frequently asked. Dogs, chickens, calves, sheep, cats, and various insects, are all harmful to it.
Livestock Milkweed Poisoning
The danger of unintentional poisoning is greatest in cattle that are grazing. Common pasture plants like milkweed may be dangerous for animals, particularly horses, who are starving for food and having no other options. Even while they often steer clear of milkweed, they will consume it if it is the only option. Ensuring that the animals have access to fresh feed at all times will aid in preventing milkweed poisoning. Create a weed control strategy for areas like roadside ditches, field borders, and fence lines where milkweed is often found. The best approach to prevent poisoning is to remove milkweed from pastures.
When dried, milkweed is also poisonous. It may be a concern if milkweed is baled with hay in the autumn. Before feeding, check the hay for dried milkweed. Due to its delicate stems and leaves, the whorled milkweed is more difficult to identify. If the hay was taken from a location where milkweed is widespread, like the edge of a field, be extra cautious.
Milkweed Poisoning Symptoms
Symptoms of milkweed poisoning in animals include cramping, colic, bloating, diarrhea, weakness, tremors, slow, irregular heartbeats, and difficulty breathing. The most dangerous milkweed, which harms the neurological system, has narrow-leafed leaves. The Eastern Whorled Milkweed (A. verticillata), the Whorled Milkweed (A. subverticillata), and the Plains Milkweed are a few of them (A. pumilla). The broad-leaved species A. asperula, A. labriformis, A. eriocarpa, and A. curassavica have significant toxicity levels (tropical milkweed).
Call a vet immediately if you think someone may have consumed milkweed. Hay, fresh water, and shade are beneficial. Using supportive therapy such as sedatives, laxatives, or intravenous fluids may be necessary. Veterinarians may be able to provide a treatment to lessen the absorption of the poisons if they are notified in time.
It is simpler for a home gardener to keep their milkweed plants in a location away from curious animals. Frequently cultivated in gardens are common milkweed (A. syriaca), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata), and butterfly weed (A. tuberosa). The tuberosa cultivar blooms intermittently throughout the summer with brilliant orange flowers and lacks the harmful milky sap. All milkweed types have blooms that attract a large number of pollinators. The flowers also generate intriguing seed pods.
Is Milkweed Toxic to Humans?
Wear gloves while handling milkweed to prevent contact with the milky sap. Wash your hands immediately if you touch the sap to prevent getting it in your eyes. When sap gets in your eyes, you might have short-lived corneal folds, edoema, corneal abrasions, and transparency loss. Within 24 to 48 hours, symptoms subside.