Plant Description:

  1. Either shrubs or trees- up to 50 feet or more.
  2. Dark green, glossy leaves, opposite, palmately compound with 5-7 leaflets having serrated edges.
  3. Fruit produced in a 1-3 seeded leathery pod; seeds are large- 1 inch at maturity and are glossy brown with a pale, scarred area.
  4. Seeds(Nuts) and young sprouts most toxic.

Toxic Principle:

  1. Aesculin is reported but probably not the toxic substance
  2. Likely an unknown alkaloid affecting the nervous system.

Disease:

  1. Most common in cattle.
  2. Muscle tremors, goose stepping movements.
  3. Fall over on their side and thrash around.

Treatment:

  1. Activated charcoal and magnesium sulfate.
  2. Acepromazine or Xylazine to sedate
  3. May need to consider surgical removal of nuts from rumen.