Alsike Clover

Scientific Name: Trifolium hybridum

Family: Leguminosae

Where Found: Native to Europe, naturalized in many parts of the eastern and north central portion of North America.

Toxicity: Toxic to Horses

Toxic Principles: Unknown

Clinical Signs: Two distinct syndromes are associated with poisoning. The first is called "dew poisoning", and is associated with a photosensitivity reaction: sunburn on nonpigmented skin. Affected areas become painful and form ulcerations, and inflammation/ulceration of the mouth and tongue may also occur along with colic and diarrhea, depression or excitation. The second syndrome is associated with recurring bouts of a condition known as "big liver disease"; animals develop a yellowish discoloration of membranes around the mouth, eyes and nonpigmented areas of skin, accompanied by weight loss, central nervous system depression, loss of appetite, incoordination, dark, discolored urine and a greatly enlarged, fibrotic liver.

Credit: Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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