An overview and utilization of toxic plants in Tianzhu grassland

The toxicity, distribution and effect on animals of toxic plants were reviewed in this paper. Toxic plants are one kind of plants that contain toxic chemical components and cause human or livestock poisoning. 61 plant species were classified in 18 families and 32 genera distributed in Tianzhu grassland. The major genera are Oxytropis and Astragalus in Leguminosae family Achnatherum Beauv in Poaceae family, Stellera belonging to Thymelaeaceae family, Aconitum Ranunculus and Thalictrum in Ranunculaceae family, Euphorbia belonging to Euphorbiaceae family, Gentiana in Gentianaceae family. In recent years, more and more attentions have been paid to the development and utilization of toxic plants. Currently, the control strategies of these poisonous plants included artificial excavation, herbicide and avoiding feeding.