Echinochloa utilis
White panic type grass, erect, rather light green annual grass to 1m high, branching chiefly from the base or lower nodes. Stems: Rather stout in the lower part (to 7mm diameter), often flattened, smooth, sometimes branched above, about 5 noded. Leaves: Flat, 5-30cm long and 3 20mm wide, broadly rounded into the sheath at the base, gradually tapering towards the tip, the margins roughened and whitish, the midrim whitish and well defined. Flowerhead: Erect or sometimes drooping compact panicle, not well exserted above the leaves with numerous, short, crowded (sometimes whorled), erect spreading or erect branches arising on all sides of the axis and bearing dense ‘spikes’ (blackish brown) 1-3cm long. Spikelets: About 3-5mm long and 2-3mm broad, in overlapping pairs or threes on very short roughened stalks. Grain: Brown ripe grain. Flowering: Summer to autumn.
True millet is similar but much taller.
Rarely cultivated; forms of E. crus galli, barnyard grass, are common throughout NZ. Habitat: Moist places such as river and creek channels and banks, irrigation channels, bore drains and low lying areas subject to flooding; a common weed of rice growing areas.
Unknown
Lambs
Photosensitisation clinical signs only on the ears and along the back.
Lesions along the skin on ear and back area.
Clinical examination, history, clinical signs and presence of plant in the paddock.
Other causes of photosensitisation.
Move animals into shade.
Conner H.E. The Poisonous Plants In New Zealand. 1992. GP Publications Ltd, Wellington
Parton K, Bruere A.N. and Chambers J.P. Veterinary Clinical Toxicology, 2nd ed. 2001. Veterinary Continuing Education Publication No. 208
4 October, 2007