noun
- any of various plants of western North America that are poisonous to livestock and cause a nervous disorder called locoism
Usage: botanical; veterinary
Examples
- Cattle that graze on locoweed may develop neurological symptoms.
- Ranchers try to remove locoweed from their pastures to protect their livestock.
- The purple flowers of locoweed can be deceptively beautiful despite the plant’s toxicity.
- Horses affected by locoweed poisoning may appear disoriented and unsteady.
- Several species of Astragalus and Oxytropis are commonly called locoweed.
- The name locoweed comes from the Spanish word ‘loco’ meaning crazy.