Ragwort

Senecio spp.

Ragwort is one of the most dangerous plants for sheep. It contains alkaloids that can cause severe liver damage, and even small amounts can be toxic over time. Sheep are often reluctant to eat ragwort, but when it's dried in hay, they might consume it unknowingly. Symptoms of poisoning include weight loss, jaundice, lethargy, and in severe cases, death.

Where found: Ragwort is commonly found in fields, pastures, and roadsides, especially in moist, fertile soils. It's often seen in disturbed areas, making it more common in overgrazed pastures.

Yew

Taxus spp.

Yew trees and shrubs, including the common English yew and Japanese yew, are highly toxic to sheep. All parts of the yew plant, particularly the needles and berries, contain taxine alkaloids, which affect the heart. Even a small amount of yew can cause sudden death in sheep. Symptoms include trembling, difficulty breathing, and cardiac arrest.

Where found: Yews are common in ornamental plantings and landscaping. They are also found in wooded areas, particularly in shaded or moist soils.

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Foxglove is another toxic plant that can be fatal to sheep. It contains compounds called glycosides, which can cause heart arrhythmias and even cardiac failure. Sheep may be attracted to the plant due to its striking flowers, and even a small amount of ingestion can lead to poisoning.

Where found: Foxglove is typically found in woodlands, meadows, and along roadsides in the Northeast. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils.

Oleander

Nerium oleander

Oleander is a common ornamental shrub that is highly toxic to sheep. The plant contains toxins that affect the heart, causing arrhythmias and potentially fatal cardiac arrest. Oleander can be deadly even in small amounts, and all parts of the plant are toxic.

Where found: Oleander is often used as a landscaping plant, particularly in warmer areas, but it can also be found in gardens and yards in the Northeast. Its beautiful flowers may attract sheep, so vigilance is required around this plant.

Bracken Fern

Pteridium aquilinum

Bracken fern is a perennial fern that can be found throughout the Northeast. It contains carcinogenic compounds called ptaquiloside, which can lead to cancer and other health issues in sheep if consumed in large quantities over time. It can also cause poisoning that affects the bone marrow, leading to clotting issues.

Where found: Bracken fern thrives in woodlands, roadsides, and fields with acidic soils. It can be especially common in overgrazed pastures where other forage options are limited.

Tansy Ragwort

Jacobaea vulgaris

Tansy ragwort, like common ragwort, contains toxic alkaloids that cause liver damage and can be fatal if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning include weight loss, liver failure, and death. Sheep are often drawn to this plant if pasture quality is poor.

Where found: Tansy ragwort is often found in pastures, roadsides, and disturbed sites. It can spread quickly in overgrazed areas.

Lupine

Lupinus spp.

Lupine is a beautiful flowering plant that can be toxic to sheep, especially when consumed in large quantities. The plant contains alkaloids that can cause neurological issues, leading to tremors, difficulty standing, and death. Lupine is most toxic when in the seedling stage.

Where found: Lupines are found in fields, meadows, and along roadsides in the Northeast. They tend to grow in sandy, acidic soils.

Nightshades

Solanum spp.

The nightshade family, which includes plants like Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), contains toxins called alkaloids that can cause a range of symptoms in sheep, including digestive distress, confusion, and even death. The berries and foliage of nightshade plants are the most toxic.

Where found: Nightshades are common in gardens, fields, and disturbed sites. They can be found in many parts of the Northeast, including along roadsides and in cultivated areas.

Azalea

Rhododendron spp.

Azaleas, which are part of the rhododendron family, contain grayanotoxins that can cause poisoning in sheep. The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and in severe cases, collapse and death. Azaleas are especially dangerous when sheep are allowed to browse in ornamental garden areas.

Where found: Azaleas are commonly used as ornamental shrubs and can be found in gardens, landscaped areas, and wooded sites in the Northeast.

Cherry

Prunus spp.

Many species of cherry, including black cherry (Prunus serotina), contain cyanogenic compounds that release cyanide when consumed. Cyanide poisoning can quickly lead to respiratory failure and death. Even small amounts of cherry leaves or twigs can be harmful to sheep.

Where found: Wild cherry trees are common throughout the Northeast, particularly in woodlands and disturbed areas. The leaves and twigs are particularly dangerous when they are wilted.

Sweet Clover

Melilotus spp.

Sweet clover is a common pasture plant in the Northeast, but when it is improperly cured or allowed to mold, it produces coumarin, which can convert into dicoumarol—an anticoagulant that can cause internal bleeding in sheep. Sweet clover poisoning typically occurs with excessive consumption of moldy hay.

Where found: Sweet clover is often found in pastures and hay fields, where it can grow in nutrient-rich soils.

Stay Vigilant

As a sheep owner in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New York, it’s crucial to monitor your pastures and ensure that toxic plants do not pose a threat to your flock. Regularly inspecting grazing areas and removing harmful plants is a vital part of sheep management. If you're unsure about the safety of a particular plant, it’s always a good idea to consult with a local agricultural extension office or veterinarian.

By maintaining a safe environment and being aware of the plants around you, you can help ensure that your sheep remain healthy, safe, and thriving.