Jan, cattle like other ruminents can eat things that will kill other
critters. I raise registered fullblood and purebred limousin cattle. )
I've read the study in reference to feeding WH to cattle, the WH were
processed down to remove any heavy metals as well as other toxins such as
nitrogen. It is/can be fed as a source of roughage. My vet feels it was the
high nitrogen levels in the WH that caused the problem for my dog. I did my
own research via the local vet school toxicology dept. and they concurred...
Take it for what's it worth but I know what we went through with my dog.
We thought it was cute to see him chase the WH around the pond, like many
here in the group. That is until he decided to eat it and we ended up with a
sick pooch...
And yes there are literally thousands of plants that can be considered
poisonous and things must be kept in perspective. Everyone needs to find
there own comfort level with these plants after assessing the facts. But
people need to be aware of the risks in order to make an informed decision.
We will have WH again next year but we will anchor them in the center of the
pond where the dog cannot gain access to them (the dog prefers to swim the
pool, not the pond). We also grow castor beans but keep the seed pods
pinched off any lower branches and pinch them off the higher branches before
they start to dry natually. ;o)
Janet
Niagara Falls, ON

"~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 21:32:47 -0600, Chad wrote:

Ok, so the plant database says there are posionous...

I think if one were to look hard enough one could find anything on the
internet... as we all know everything is true on the internet.

Thanks Chad as I was worrying there if my memory was going. I remembered
something about using them for cattle feed and I've known lots of dogs
eating them without getting sick. Seems I even remember a recipe for a
dish
for human consumption was once posted here.

That said, WH does take up a lot of pollution out of waterways and perhaps
that is what made the poster w/the sick dog, sick? Not the WH itself, but
what it had eaten. ~ jan

WH have many uses with India being the leader in the following uses.

1.) To make Paper -- acutal varieties of high quality paper

2.) To make briquettes for stoves for cooking.

3.) To make food for cattle out of the leaves (the parts my dog
eats)... btw... cattle are sacred in India so I don't think they are
trying to harm them...

Here is a site with tons of info on WH....

http://www.ecosyn.us/ecocity/Links/M...yacinth01.html

See my ponds thru the seasons and/or my filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Defrosted~
Tri-Cities, WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website


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