Palicourea marcgravii is a perennial shrub found primarily in the southern continents of Africa, Australia, and South America.
Palicourea Marcgravii Toxic Components
P. marcgravii contains monofluoroacetate (MFA), which is a highly toxic chemical compound and indole alkaloid. N-methyltyramine and 2-methyltetrahydro-beta-carboline (2-Me THBC) may also influence the monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A): N-methyltyramine acts as a competitive substrate, and 2-Me THBC is one of the most effective MAO-A-inhibitors. P. marcgravii is reported to be highly palatable to ruminants, and is responsible for over 500,000 annual deaths of ruminants in Brazil.
Clinical Signs of Palicourea Marcgravii Poisoning
In most cases, clinical signs are hyperacute and appear when the animal is walking around. Affected animals rarely recover and most are found dead in the pasture.
