Ethnobotanical Study of Plants Poisonous to Cattle in Eastern Colombia

A survey of the plants considered to be poisonous to cattle was conducted in eastern Colombia by veterinarians and biologists. This area is characterized by high flora diversity and a large cattle population (approximately 5 million bovines, or 19 percent of the total population in Colombia). Livestock producers on 148 farms were queried about plants empirically known to be poisonous and the effects associated with these plants. Nineteen plants were recognized as toxic by more than two respondents, with Enterolobium cyclocarpum the most frequently pointed out by the producers. The plant families and number of species identified as poisonous were Apocynaceae (six), Bignonaceae (three), Verbenaceae (two), Sapindaceae (two), Cyperaceae (one), Heliconaceae (one), Fabaceae (one), Phytolaccaceae (one), and Solanaceae (one). Frequently reported toxic effects were sudden death and photosensitization.