Informations du cours

The term "toxic plant" refers to plants that can cause internal or external harmful effects

on the body. The individual may suffer from intoxication following skin contact, eye

contact, or ingestion. The symptoms presented vary according to the quantity and the

part (leaf, fruit, root, etc.) of the plant ingested. However, any plant can become poison

when abused.

The toxicity of the plant can act directly on the animal; for example, acorns of oak have an

abrasive action on the intestinal mucosa. The toxicity of the plant can also be indirect. Some

plants can interfere with the metabolism of minerals (such as calcium, iron, and zinc in

monogastric) and vitamins. This interference with metabolism will affect animal health.

In this handout, the student will find information of some toxic plants causing poisoning in

animals (taxonomy and picture of the plant, their toxic parts and its toxic principle, the

clinical symptoms observed during intoxication and possibly the treatment to be

implemented).