Purdue extension is reminding landowners that certain summer plants and weeds may be toxic to their livestock.
In an advisory article published in its “June in the Grow” column, Wild Black Cherry was identified as a possibly harmful species vegetation, especially to horses. State Coordinator for the Indiana Master Gardener program B. Rosie Lerner says the plant is large and fast growing.
It has the propensity to become a bit invasive due to its large-scale fruit production and due to the consumption of its fruit by local bird populations.
Lerner says that if the twigs and the leaves are consumed by livestock, it may have potentially harmful side effects. Symptoms of ingestion include weakness, respiratory failure, and pupil dilation.
