Suspected poisoning of cattle by scarlet pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis L.)

Abstract

The ingestion of scarlet pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis L.), also known as red chickweed, has been reported as a cause of death of cattle in Uruguay, and as the suspected cause of deaths of sheep in Australia. It has not previously been reported in association with deaths of cattle in Australia. We report the clinical and pathological findings from four cattle in western Victoria that died with a nephrosis suspected to be secondary to intoxication with scarlet pimpernel.