Polygonum aviculare
knot grass
A low growing hairless annual with silvery, ragged ochreae (a sheath at the leaf base that forms a tube around the stem). Leaves are lanceolate. Flowers are pink or white.
Throughout New Zealand a weed of gardens, crops, wet pastures, damp areas, ditches, and dried up swamps with good rainfall.
Tests in NZ did not reveal any toxicity associated with this plant. Horses in Australia have been suspected of nitrite poisoning associated with wire weed ingestion.
Horses.
Recumbancy, not able to rise and death in horses.
History and clinical signs associated with ingestion of the plant.
Avoid grazing hungry animals where the plants are growing.
Conner H.E. The Poisonous Plants In New Zealand. 1992. GP Publications Ltd, Wellington
Cooper M R, Johnson A W. Poisonous Plants and Fungi in Britan: Animals and Human Poisoning. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. London. 1998
Parton K, Bruere A.N. and Chambers J.P. Veterinary Clinical Toxicology, 2nd ed. 2001. Veterinary Continuing Education Publication No. 208
