Horseradish-Armoracia rusticana-Poisonous plant

Horseradish

General poisoning notes:

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a cultivated plant that can persist after cultivation. The plant contains glucosinolates, which can cause toxicity in livestock. Irritation of the mucous membranes can occur in humans who grind the roots to produce horseradish condiment. See the notes under Brassica oleracea for more information on these chemicals. Under normal circumstances horseradish is safe.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Armoracia rusticana P. Gaertn., Mey & Scherb.

Vernacular name(s): horseradish

Scientific family name: Cruciferae

Vernacular family name: mustard

Geographic Information

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

Horseradish contains glucosinolates which, if ingested in sufficient quantities, can cause poisoning (Fenwick et al. 1989).

Toxic parts:

All parts, leaves, roots

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

See the notes under Brassica oleracea for a discussion on this chemical and its affects on livestock and humans.

Toxic plant chemicals:

glucosinolates

Chemical diagram(s) are courtesy of Ruth McDiarmid, Biochemistry Technician, Kamloops Range Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kamploops, British Columbia, Canada.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

Swine

General symptoms of poisoning:

Collapse, death.

Notes on poisoning:

Swine have been poisoned after ingesting of horseradish root equal to 1% of body weight. The animals suffer acute inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach as well as pain, followed by collapse and death (Kingsbury 1964).