Leucothoe davisiae

Common names:

Mountain, Black or Sierra laurel

Family:

Heath

Region:

W. coastal states

Habitat:

Lakesides, streamsides, mountain meadows

Toxic season:

Year-round

Features:

Evergreen shrub to 5' tall. Leaves are primarily toothless, thickly lance-shaped, stiff and leathery, alternate, up to 3" long. Flowers are small, white, somewhat urn-shaped in thick elongated clusters up to 4" long at branch ends.

Poison type:

Diterpenoid compounds (grayanotoxins)

Signs/effects:

Disruptive to normal skeletal and cardiac muscle and nerve function. Signs include slow/irregular heart rate, blurred vision, paralysis, excessive salivation or foaming at the mouth, depression, vomiting, colic, labored breathing, prostration, possibly coma and death.

Treatment:

Activated charcoal, purgatives if early after ingestion. Keep animal quiet, provide good quality feed and water. Medication may be needed to restore heart efficiency.

Comments:

Leaves are most frequently eaten; as little as 1 oz. of leaves may be lethal to a sheep. All livestock are known to be susceptible. Toxic to humans. Other members of the genus may also be poisonous.

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