Fly poison (Amianthium muscitoxicum) is a perennial bulbous herb. It has many narrow, elongated leaves and dense, showy, clusters of white to bronzy-green flowers. Pulp from the bulb, when mixed with sugar, has been used for poison against flies. It produces bright orange fruit.
Toxic components
All parts of A. muscitoxicum is composed of cevanine-type veratrum ester alkaloids, amianthine, and jervine toxins, with the highest concentration in the bulb. The toxic dose for horses is 0.1-0.2% body weight. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
- Colic
- Difficulty Breathing
- Staggering
- Frothing At The Mouth
- Rapid Respiration
- Weakness
- Lameness
- Collapse
- Death
