loco weed etymology

Etymology

  • Origin: Spanish, loco "crazy, foolish" + weed

Meaning

  • Loco weed: A type of plant that can cause poisoning in livestock, leading to strange and erratic behavior.

Origin

Loco weed is a common name for several species of plants in the genus Astragalus. These plants contain chemicals known as swainsonine and locoine, which can accumulate in the tissues of animals that ingest them. These chemicals interfere with the animals' metabolism and nervous system, causing a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Lethargy
  • Ataxia (difficulty walking)
  • Trembling
  • Seizures
  • Paralysis

In severe cases, loco poisoning can be fatal.

Loco weed is found in the western United States and Canada. It is most common in overgrazed areas, where livestock are more likely to consume the plant in search of food.

The name "loco weed" comes from the Spanish word loco, meaning "crazy" or "foolish." This name was given to the plant by early Spanish explorers who observed the strange behavior of animals that had ingested it.

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