Help! Do photinias harm horses? We have a stud farm in Victoria and someone told us photinias harm sheep, what about horses. We breed thoroughbreds and have planted a hedge of photinias near our stallion yards. We may need to move them or fence off if they are poisonous.

"hannarose" wrote in message
...

Help! Do photinias harm horses? We have a stud farm in Victoria and
someone told us photinias harm sheep, what about horses. We breed
thoroughbreds and have planted a hedge of photinias near our stallion
yards. We may need to move them or fence off if they are poisonous.


--
hannarose

From this site:
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/botany/ncsc...lar_plants.htm

"Photinia spp. - Photinia
The evergreen photinias are popular ornamental shrubs grown for their round
clusters of white flowers, red berries, and particularly their red new
leaves in the spring. Cuttings from these shrubs can be poisonous because
they contain hydrocyanic acid similar to Prunus."

and then from the info about Prunus:

"Poisonous principle: Hydrocyanic acid (also called prussic acid), which is
one of the decomposition products formed by the action of enzymes on the
glycoside amygdalin. Many factors appear to contribute to the formation of
the acid, but it is most commonly found when the leaves are partially
wilted. When fresh leaves are eaten, they release hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in
the stomach or rumen after mastication.

Parts of plant: Leaves, twigs, bark, or seeds. Discarded fruit pits should
not be available to dogs or caged birds.

Periodicity: Spring, summer, and fall; fresh, or wilted due to frost,
drought, or broken branches.

Animals poisoned: Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, dogs, and birds."

Sound pretty noxious.

Liz

I'd say its bad stuff! They use the same sort of stuff in gas chambers
(from my chemistry days)
ie they drop cyanide into hydrochloric acid and the resultant fumes
Cause the poor bugger in the chamber to expire
(totaly mucks up the bloods ability to absorb oxygen)

Not a good way to go I think.

Regards,
Mitch

Thank you,
I think we will need to do some serious transplanting.

Thank you Liz,
I will take this into serious consideration. I don't think we'll be taking any risks.

"Mitchell McCreath" writes:
I'd say its bad stuff! They use the same sort of stuff in gas chambers
(from my chemistry days)

Oh, Mitch, your chemistry pracs were much more exciting than mine!
--
John Savage (news address invalid; keep news replies in newsgroup)

Thanks Boys!

Don't forget, while some plants are noxious in general, others can cause
drops in fertility with few other side effects. There's a plant called
rattle pod, which is particularly bad and causes abortion in mares. Because
it is a legume, many will try it, especially if they run out of nice pick.
When in doubt, DON'T. That's my saying, and it applies to everything I do.
(Of course to expel doubt, just research!)
:0)
Jade.



"hannarose" wrote in message
...

John Savage Wrote:
"Mitchell McCreath" writes:-
I'd say its bad stuff! They use the same sort of stuff in gas
chambers
(from my chemistry days)-

Oh, Mitch, your chemistry pracs were much more exciting than mine!
--
John Savage (news address invalid; keep news replies in
newsgroup)

Thanks Boys!


--
hannarose