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Description
Leatherstem is an erect, perennial, shrubby plant
with simple or somewhat lobed leaves. Taxonomically it is
a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The stems are
quite flexible, thus the name leatherstem.
Distribution and Habitat
Leatherstem grows on gravelly bluffs, hillsides,
and ravine slopes of the South Texas Plains, the Edwards Plateau
and Trans-Pecos areas. It also grows south into Mexico.
Regions: 2, 6,
7, 10.
Toxic Agent
Leatherstem is known to be poisonous to sheep and
goats. The toxic agent involved is a phytotoxin (large protein
molecules that may function as antigens or as proleolytic
enzymes). During a limited number of feeding experiments by
the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station it was found that
leatherstem was toxic but not fatal to a sheep when the animal
was fed 2 per cent of its weight of green leaves. The seeds
were fatal to a lamb at 3 per cent of its weight in 3 doses
over 12 days. A goat that was fed 3.7 percent of its body
weight of leatherstem leaves developed progressive anemia
and died.
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Livestock Symptoms
Symptoms listed for leatherstem include
- severe gastric inflamation
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Integrated Management Strategies
Leatherstem is considered to be a relatively
unpalatable plant. Grazing management practices that improve
or maintain good quality range condition and avoid overgrazing
will reduce the incidence of poisoning from leatherstem.
Proper mineral supplementation programs, especially those
that provide phosphorous will also reduce the potential
for livestock losses to leatherstem.
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