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Are any areas in Nebraska reporting cases of pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisonings? These alkaloids are from plants in the Senecio or Crotalaria species. Common names would be ragwort, stinking willie, groundsel, rattle box, rattle weed, and wild pea.

Last Updated: December 23, 2010

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In Nebraska, pyrrolizidine alkaloids are found in several plants. Riddell groundsel and prairie groundsel (prairie ragwort) are found on many rangelands and prairies in Nebraska, especially in the western two-thirds of the state on sandy, rocky, or dry soil sites. Neither is considered very palatable to livestock, so livestock generally avoid them if other more desirable forage is available. Drought and overgrazing can make these plants relatively more abundant and more likely to be grazed. If they are consumed they can cause either acute or chronic toxicity. Tall fescue (endophyte-infected) also contains a pyrrolizidine alkaloid called loline. Loline is considered to be of minor importance in various fescue toxicosis problems; other alkaloids play a much greater role. Endophyte-free tall fescue will not cause these problems.

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