Increase in common ragwort noticed

The common ragwort (senecio jacobaea) looks beautiful but it is poisonous to certain animals, such as those which graze on meadows.

No-one would imagine this harmless-looking, daisy-like plant (not to be confused with St John’s wort, which it resembles) represents a risk to grazing stock such as cows and horses, and, to a lesser extent, goats and sheep, but it does, and an increased amount of it has been noticed of late.

According to information provided by the Liebegg Agricultural Centre in Gränichen in the canton of Argovia, the plant is especially dangerous if it gets mixed with late harvested hay. A natural bitterness helps prevent animals from eating it on meadows, but alkaloids remain in it in a dry state, and these can lead to poisoning. If eaten, it can lead the animal to suffering from gastro-intestinal and liver problems, other symptoms being loss of appetite, cramp and difficulties in walking. Furthermore, the treating of animals thus afflicted is, for the most part, futile.

According to an online report from the renowned German newspaper, Die Welt, the plant can be dangerous to humans, too, a fatality having been recorded in the Oberallgäu region crossing parts of Swabia and Bavaria in southern Germany. Furthermore, the researcher, Helmut Weidenfeld, felt that the alkaloids contained in the plant were one of the causes behind an increase in liver problems, with the main source probably being imported honey from Australia, New Zealand and South America, where the plant is also widespread.

More locally, Irene Iten-Muff of Unterägeri, a farmer’s daughter who is well aware of the plant’s toxicity, has noticed the plant spreading, not only in meadows and by the roadside, but in private gardens, too.

Is the canton aware about all this? Reassuringly, Christoph Troxler of the Office of the Protection of the Environment said it was, with action taken against this plant, even though it is native to Switzerland. As it is not classed as invasive, no records are kept as to whether it has spread in recent years. However, he mentioned how the Schluechthof Agricultural Training and Advisory Centre in Cham advises farmers on what to do if it appears on their land. If it occurs on private land, often in areas not mown, the Forestry Department will advise owners what to do. “The plant is often found growing in gravel pits, too,” he said. “Under no circumstances should it be added to compost heaps,” he warned.