
Will perilla mint kill goats?
PERILLA MINT TOXICITY Perilla Mint is known by many names -- beefsteak plant, Chinese basil, rattlesnake weed, purple mint -- but by any name, it kills goats and other ruminants and horses that eat it.
Is perilla mint poisonous to horses?
plants. Reproduction is by seed. Perilla mint has a shallow taproot and fibrous roots. Weed Status and Injury Perilla mint causes more cattle deaths in Tennessee than any other toxic plant. Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures. Dried
Is perilla poisonous to cattle in Tennessee?
Weed Status and Injury. Perilla mint causes more cattle deaths in Tennessee than any other toxic plant. Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures.
Is perilla Hay poisonous to cows?
Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures. Dried plants in hay can be toxic, but the greatest risk is associated with consumption of fresh plant material, especially if flowers and fruit are present.

Is perilla mint toxic?
Perilla mint is highly toxic when consumed by cattle, other ruminants, and horses. The entirety of the plant is toxic, with the flowering structures being especially potent. Perilla mint is more likely to be consumed in the fall, because of a seasonal decrease in forage availability.
Can goats eat mint leaves?
Our goats love rubbing against mint stalks in the summer. It may ward off flies and other summer pests, as catnip does. I weave mint stalks into the fence for the goats to rub. They also eat the mint, which makes their breath smell nice.
Do animals eat perilla leaves?
Sometimes known as beefsteak plant, Chinese basil or purple mint, perilla mint was introduced from East Asia for its ornamental and culinary values. Usually, animals do not consume this plant, but poisoning can occur when more desirable plants are in short supply.
Is perilla mint toxic to horses?
Perilla mint plants are toxic to horses, and all plant parts (especially the flowers and fruits) contain the toxin. The greatest risk is consumption of fresh plant material during late summer or early fall. Perilla mint plants harvested with hay also pose a risk to animals ingesting the dried plants.
Can goats eat perilla leaves?
Perilla Mint is known by many names -- beefsteak plant, Chinese basil, rattlesnake weed, purple mint -- but by any name, it kills goats and other ruminants and horses that eat it.
Can goats eat rosemary?
From his study, the researchers conclude that supplementation of lemongrass and rosemary in the diet of lactating Damascus goats at 10 g/goat daily enhanced nutrient digestibility and milk yield, with positive ruminal fermentation.
Is perilla mint toxic to cows?
Ingestion of perilla mint causes “acute respiratory distress syndrome”, a sudden and dramatic onset of severe breathing difficulty. Affected animals are frequently found dead. Mature cattle are most often affected but it can occur in yearlings and calves.
Can chickens eat perilla?
Particularly, the seeds of this plant have been reported with high α-linolenic acid contents. Perilla seed meal are suited as animal feed. When used as feeds in chicken and swine, perilla seed and meal were found to increase omega-3 fatty acid contents in meat and other animal products such as eggs [9].
Can rabbits eat perilla leaves?
All parts of the plants are edible, however the leaves are the more beneficial parts. Bear in mind that there is another species of mint called Perilla frutescens (perilla mint or Japanese basil) which is toxic to rabbits.
Is perilla mint invasive?
Also called perilla mint, beefsteak plant is a traditional Asian crop used in cooking and is often planted as an ornamental. It readily escapes cultivation and has become a problematic invasive plant in natural areas across the mid-Atlantic region and elsewhere.
Is perilla poisonous to dogs?
Perilla mint is used in Asian cooking and grows in USDA zones 5 through 10. This plant, while used for its minty flavor, is considered toxic to dogs and livestock, so avoid it in your garden, warns the Colorado Water Garden Society.
Is there a poisonous mint plant?
Perilla mint has a shallow taproot and fibrous roots. Perilla mint causes more cattle deaths in Tennessee than any other toxic plant. Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures.
Can sheep eat mint?
Sheep are a very self-sufficient type of livestock to have on the homestead, and, like goats, they are excellent browsers....78 Healthy Snacks Sheep Can Eat.CeleryPearsSquashMintApplesChicoryThymePumpkinHoneysuckle BushCarrots34 more rows•May 23, 2022
Can chickens eat mint?
Mint helps repel mice and bugs and also has a calming effect on laying hens. If your chickens eat it, that's perfectly fine, and in fact mint naturally lowers body temperatures, which can be helpful in keeping your flock cool in the summer.
Can goats eat parsley?
Chickens and goats tend to love the plants from this family which also includes herbs like dill and parsley. Both the tops and roots can be fed and are good for them.
Can rabbits eat mint?
All parts of a mint plant can be fed to rabbits. Mint is a healthy herb that can be fed to rabbits in small amounts. Not only is it tasty, but it has many health benefits. All parts of the mint plant can be eaten, including the leaves and stems.
How does perilla mint affect cattle?
Depending on the amount consumed and/or animal susceptibility, death may occur within a couple days or in as little as a few hours. Little is known about the amount of perilla mint needed to cause detrimental effects in livestock, nor about the factors that make some cattle more susceptible to its toxicity than others. Nonetheless, plants are generally more toxic as they enter the reproductive phase of growth, which also coincides with periods of lower forage quality and quantity, as well as increasing temperatures. Consequently, it is during this time that livestock often congregate in shaded areas that may be infested with perilla mint, putting animals at a greater risk of consumption.
What herbicides are used to kill perilla mint?
Several herbicides are effective in controlling perilla mint. Preemergent options include herbicide active ingredients such as aminopyralid, dicamba, imazapic, and picloram (table 1). These treatments should be applied prior to seed germination, which can occur as early as late-April, depending on latitude or when soil temperatures are between 68°F and 77°F. For each of these preemergent options, rain is necessary following application in order to move herbicides into the soil.
What color is a perilla mint leaf?
Figure 2. Underneath view of a perilla mint leaf, showing the purple coloring.
How tall is Perilla mint?
Plants commonly reach an average height of 2 ft and can be identified by their coarsely serrated leaf edges, which occur opposite each other along a square stem (figure 1). Perilla mint produces flower spikes that are usually approximately 6 inches long and contain many small white or purple flowers. Flowers often appear between July to September. Plants can be most easily identified by their purplish color on the undersides of leaves (figure 2) and their minty aroma when the leaves are crushed. Additionally, perilla mint is recognizable in winter months from dormant carcasses, which is also indicative of where future populations will likely emerge the following spring.
Is perilla mint poisonous?
Perilla mint is highly toxic when consumed by cattle, other ruminants, and horses. The entirety of the plant is toxic , with the flowering structures being especially potent. Perilla mint is more likely to be consumed in the fall, because of a seasonal decrease in forage availability.
Perilla Mint a Danger to Livestock
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – In some areas of the state, the hot, dry weather may have limited the availability of some forages. These conditions often tempt livestock to consume anything that is green. Some poisonous plants have become masters at surviving these conditions. Perilla mint is one of the most dangerous.
Characteristics
An escaped ornamental, the leaves of perilla mint may look more attractive to grazing livestock. David Russell, an Alabama Extension weed scientist, said perilla mint has a bold color and aroma.
Poisonous to Livestock
When consumed, the toxin in perilla mint causes fluids to collect in and around the lungs in a variety of animals. Most cases of poisoning happen in cattle, horses and sometimes goats and sheep.
Signs of Perilla Mint Poisoning
Producers should check their livestock regularly for symptoms of poisoning. Animals will exhibit signs of major respiratory distress. They may also grunt while exhaling or have a nasal discharge and an elevated temperature.
Scouting
Scouting for perilla mint is best done between April and June, before the reproductive stage of their growth. However, producers should continue to look for these plants throughout the summer and fall. Russell said currently, plants are starting their reproductive stage.
Control Options
There are several physical and chemical options available to control perilla mint, including both postemergence (table 1) and preemergence herbicides (table 2).
Livestock After Treatment
After an area with perilla mint receives treatment, producers may want to limit or stop grazing in that area. According to Russell, there is little known information about toxicity levels and how much it takes to be detrimental to grazing livestock.
How much perilla mint is fatal?
Animal fatality occurred within three days when a 174-pound calf was fed with 5 pounds of perilla mint hay in the seed stage along with 5 pounds of regular hay.
How to control perilla mint?
Perilla mint is most susceptible to control during the spring months when the plants are young and actively growing. Once they come to bloom, the plants become hardy and more difficult to control. As an annual, it can be removed mechanically by taking advantage of its shallow root system. Herbicides, such as 2,4-D (low-volatile ester formulations) or tank-mixtures containing both 2,4-D and dicamba (several formulations) along with a surfactant, provide good control when applied in early spring. Herbicides containing aminopyrlid (Milestone, Grazon Next) also provide effective control, but may persist in treated hay and in manure derived from animals that were fed with treated forage or hay.
Where is perilla mint grown?
Perilla mint is an annual weed prevalent in pastures, periphery of woodlots and occasionally, in gardens and other disturbed fields. It can be easily identified by its ribbed, square stems and broad leaves, arranged oppositely with a toothed margin. The leaves vary in color from green to purple, especially when found growing in the shade, and boast a minty aroma when crushed.
What is the name of the condition in which animals breathe abnormally?
Abnormal breathing is manifested in affected animals referred to as atypical interstitial pneumonia syndrome (AIP).
Is perilla mint toxic to livestock?
Can you think of a plant with medicinal and culinary attributes, yet it’s often toxic to livestock? The weed in question is perilla mint ( Perilla frutescens ). Perilla mint is becoming more and more common in pastures across West Virginia, causing concern for some.
Can animals eat perilla mint?
Sometimes known as beefsteak plant, Chinese basil or purple mint, perilla mint was introduced from East Asia for its ornamental and culinary values. Usually, animals do not consume this plant, but poisoning can occur when more desirable plants are in short supply. After consumption, livestock can develop symptoms related to respiratory distress such as acute inflammation of the lungs, causing fatality in some.
Is perilla mint a problem?
Perilla mint continues to be a problem weed in West Virginia pastures. Multiple animal fatalities were attributed to this weed in 2019 and 2018.
Where does Perilla mint grow?
Perilla mint is an erect, herbaceous annual that can grow to heights of 2 feet. It is native to East Asia. The cotyledons are longer than they are broad, with the broadest portion near the tip. The leaves are simple, opposite and can be purple or green tinged with purple, making it an attractive plant. Leaves have coarsely serrated (toothed) leaf margins pointed toward the tip and can be up to 5 inches wide and 7 inches long. Leaves are egg-shaped, with the largest part nearest the base. The stems of perilla mint are square in cross section, erect, hairy, somewhat branched and green or purple. Many small, white to purplish-white flowers with a ring of hairs in the throat are clustered in the terminals of these plants. Reproduction is by seed. Perilla mint has a shallow taproot and fibrous roots.
When to control perilla mint?
Control of perilla mint in pastures, barn lots and forage fields is very important. The best time to scout for and control perilla mint is late April to early June. It is very difficult to control in late summer and early fall when it also becomes the most dangerous to livestock. If control measures are not taken early, it becomes even more crucial in late summer to maintain an adequate supply of quality feed for cattle and other farm animals so they will not feed on these toxic weeds. Grazing in infested pastures should be limited during late summer when perilla mint is flowering. Avoid harvesting forages in areas infested with these weeds. Mowing perilla mint plants before seed is produced will help prevent further reproduction and spread. Please refer to the Weed Control Manual for Tennessee Row Crops (Extension PB 1580) for management recommendations. Another good resource for management of this weed is in the Hay Crop and Pasture Weed Management Guide (Extension PB 1521).
Is perilla mint poisonous to cattle?
Perilla mint causes more cattle deaths in Tennessee than any other toxic plant. Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures. Dried plants in hay can be toxic, but the greatest risk is associated with consumption of fresh plant material, especially if flowers and fruit are present. Perilla mint contains ketones that cause acute respiratory distress syndrome in cattle (ARDS), also called panting disease. Treatment is often ineffective. Although these plants can occur anywhere in a pasture or feed lot, they typically favor semi-shaded environments, and are most frequently located around farm structures, edges of woods and along fence rows. Cases of poisoning from these weeds are a concern during the late summer and early fall when other grasses and forages might be in short supply and the perilla mint is flowering. Cattle will normally not feed on these toxic weeds unless there is a shortage of other feed. Therefore, it is crucial to have a ready supply of quality feed available for farm animals during this time of the year.
Is perilla mint a weed?
It is an escaped ornamental and that is how it has become a weed pest in Tennessee. These plants give off a distinctive, aromatic, minty odor when the stems and leaves are crushed. It is a
Can goats eat anything?
Goats have the reputation of being able to stomach almost anything; in fact, they’re commonly used for weed control in landscapes, but are there any plants poisonous to goats? The truth is there are quite a number of plants goats can’t eat.
Can goats eat hay?
Sometimes hay contains dried toxic weeds which can poison a goat. Poisonous plants for goats may also be eaten when they are allowed to feed on landscape or garden plants.
Can goats eat poisonous plants?
There are few plants goats can’t eat; the more important consideration is those they shouldn’t eat. Not every poisonous plant is deadly, as many have various levels of toxicity causing different effects. Some can be immediate while others may be cumulative and build up in the body over time. The type of poisonous plant and the amount the animal has ingested will determine the level of toxicity.

Characteristics
Poisonous to Livestock
- Perilla ketones are one of several volatile compounds found within the plant that cause atypical interstitial pneumonia (AIP) in cattle and other domestic animals when ingested. Fluid accumulates in the animals’ lungs, causing reduced oxygen levels and shortness of breath. Depending on the amount consumed and/or animal susceptibility, death may occ...
Signs of Perilla Mint Poisoning
Scouting
Control Options
- When consumed, the toxin in perilla mint causes fluids to collect in and around the lungs in a variety of animals. Most cases of poisoning happen in cattle, horses and sometimes goats and sheep. Soren Rodning, an Alabama Extension veterinarian, said that perilla mint is usually not an animal’s first choice for grazing. “Normally, animals won’t graz...
Livestock After Treatment
- Producers should check their livestock regularly for symptoms of poisoning. Animals will exhibit signs of major respiratory distress. They may also grunt while exhaling or have a nasal discharge and an elevated temperature. “Treatment is usually ineffective once symptoms become severe. So, contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect perilla mint poisoning,” Rodning said. “…
More Information
- Scouting for perilla mint is best done between April and June, before the reproductive stage of their growth. However, producers should continue to look for these plants throughout the summer and fall. Russell said currently, plants are starting their reproductive stage. “Plants may be identified by their upright flower spike, usually 4 to 6 inches long,” Russell said. “These spikes wi…