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Posted by GoatWorld on August 15, 2002 at 19:57:30:
In Reply to: Photos of possible Niteshade to Gary posted by Karen on August 15, 2002 at 08:26:13:
Hello Karen,
On the pictures you sent, only one of the three was visible for some reason but I am posting it here. Perhaps you can resend the other two - they are probably better examples than the ones that I currently have. I'll have my wife do her photo and graphic wizardry with this picture to make it fit onto the Poisonous Plants section...
This picture to me looks very much like the same species of "Common" Nightshade we also have/had growing here. For the most part the goats will not eat this plant and in the past have helped to trample it down. I too was concerned about this growing in our pastures and have used the "burn the field" approach to rid the pastures of everything.
I know that some do not agree with the burning technique, but in this part of the country, it has long been a tradition to burn the hay fields in the early spring or late fall, especially those fields which are used to produce a quality hay crop such as alfalfa or clover.
Burning puts potash back into the soil along with a few other desireable minerals and does go a long way in eradicating the undesireable weeds. For example, besides the common nightshade which grows naturally, we also have sage grass and mullein which neither the goats or sheep will touch. Even after burning, this comes back each year. But I must say that it has become less and less each year. It also seems to help produce more of a "natural" wild strawberry crop - the goats and sheep certainly love these.
Something I read in one of your other posts is that you are seeing a "striated - watermelon" looking type of plant that contains thorns. Are these thorns very hard or are they softer? The reason I ask is because there is another type of plant that grows closer to the ground and the berries look like little watermelons -- these are gooseberry plants and I haven't yet found anything on these plants being poisonous to goats. We have these growing natural here and the goats eat them heartily (all except the leaves and thorns of course). I'll try to get some pictures of them posted.
Best regards,
Gary
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