Ricardo Santana de Oliveira

Toxic plants for livestock in Recôncavo of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. A Review

A survey on toxic plants for livestock was performed in the Recôncavo region of Bahia state, Brazil. Hundred forty interviews were realized with farmers and, technical area from 28 counties. The following plants were described as toxic for livestock: “Manipueira” byproduct of Manihot spp., leaves of Manihot spp., scraper of Manihot spp., Manihot esculenta and Brachiaria spp. In addition, less frequent poisonings by Cestrum axillare, Metternichia princeps, Ipomoea asarifolia, Ricinus communis, Dieffenbachia spp., Amorimia rigida and, Palicourea aeneofusca. Three plants previously unknown as toxic, but mentioned by the respondents as poisonous, were Poincianella pyramidalis, Momordica charantia L. and Erythrina mulungu. Only P. pyramidalis was tested and resulted toxic to goats and sheep, causing malformations in fetuses. Experiments with other plants are necessary to confirm their toxicity.