How toxic is St John's Wort?

katetmouse

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Our horses are due to move into a field that has had horses in it, but I have identified a great deal of St. John's Wort growing there. Should I be worried?
 
So would I, it caused issues with one of mine years ago contributing to his liver problem, his photosensitivity and he struggled all summer with breathing, at the time the plant was growing everywhere.
 
Is it really Hypericum perforatum?

I have read that the name St. John's Wort is sometimes used for Chelidonium majus.

If it is, then this page might be of use.
Nice one Keith :)
My neighbour was convinced that she and I had St Johns Wort in our fields, when she moved in last year in July. It took a lot of convincing and a discussion with a good vet to persuade her that the Celandines were what was being mistaken.

I did drag her over to show her the small patch of Hemlock in one corner of hers where it abutted mine, explained that there had been just the one patch since time immemorial, but she still got it dug up and roots treated. She had missed it as thought that it was chervil.... v similar tho.
 
Nice one Keith :)
My neighbour was convinced that she and I had St Johns Wort in our fields, when she moved in last year in July. It took a lot of convincing and a discussion with a good vet to persuade her that the Celandines were what was being mistaken.

Chelidonium majus (Swallowwort, Greater celandine) can also be a problem, but eradication might require different herbicides or treatment at different times of year, as compared to Hypericum perforatum.
 
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