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03.
Plant scare to Cranbourne horses
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03/04/2002 |
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A plant, potentially fatal to horses, has been found in pastures at Cranbourne.
Racing Victoria stewards have alerted trainers that the noxious weed, known as Thornapples, has been positively identified in the area.
Chief steward Des Gleeson said the discovery was a concern and urged trainers to inspect their pastures and seek advice on the safest and most effective means of removing the plants.
There are 750 horses in training at Cranbourne but there have been no reported horse deaths in the area from the plant.
Aside from the potential to kill, the weed contains alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine and hyoscine) which are deemed prohibited substances under the Rules of Racing.
"It was brought to our attention that it was growing in the area but that is all I can say at this stage," Gleeson said.
"It is a potential time bomb waiting to go off and is very dangerous which is why we are putting it on the Racing Victoria internet site and telling people to take the proper action."
The plants, which may be found in other parts of the Victoria, grow up to 1.5 metres and have a strongly-scented, coarsely-toothed green or purplish alternate leaves.
They are annuals and spread by seed. The large trumpet-shaped flowers are generally white or purplish and are formed singly at the forks in the stems.
The seed pods are hard spiny capsules, about the size of a golf ball when mature, and split open along four lines from the top down at maturity to release numerous tiny black seeds, approximately 3mm in diameter.
The plants have a strong pungent odour and may become palatable to animals after the application of herbicides, greatly increasing the chance of toxicosis.
They have a bitter taste and disagreeable odour which generally deters grazing animals, but problems may occur if plants, particularly when seeding, are included in hay.
The weeds can be dangerous to humans, and appropriate care should be taken at all times when handling.
Gleeson said the toxic plants can be pulled out of the ground but gloves and appropriate garments should be worn.
By Robert Windmill
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