Figwort
Scrophularia nodosa
Horse
Moderate
Get veterinary advice the same day and remove access. Prolonged heavy consumption over several days.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Symptomatic and supportive treatment (IV fluids, rest).
- Time to signs
- A few hours to 1 day
- Prognosis
- Good. The quantity required to kill a horse is rarely ingested, but kidney damage can weaken the animal.
- Call veterinarian for monitoring
- Monitor for kidney damage
- Monitor for cardiac effects
- Administer IV fluids if needed
- Ensure complete rest
Its ID card
- Height
- 30 cm – 1.2 m
- Flowering
- June to September.
- Toxic parts
- Entire plant (especially the square stem and tuberous roots).
- Toxin
- Cardiotonic glycosides and saponins (Aucubin, scrophularine).
- Habitat
- Damp undergrowth, shaded forest edges, ditches, stream banks.
- Soil indicator
- Heavy, cool, shaded, waterlogged, nutrient-rich soils.
- Regions
- Entire Europe
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Very low (nauseating odor and very bitter taste).
When the risk rises
June to September.
Spotting it in the field
Nettles (leaves are somewhat similar but figwort does not sting), Mint (square stem but different odor). — smell : fetid and unpleasant odor when crushed.
- Square, robust stem, often reddish (up to 1m)
- Opposite, heart-shaped or lance-shaped, toothed leaves
- Small, inconspicuous, globular (helmet-shaped) flowers, green with a reddish-brown upper edge
- Fetid odor when crushed
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity and potentially chronic if consumed repeatedly.
Dose : Quantity not precisely determined, but significant and prolonged consumption is necessary. Several kilograms of fresh plant or contaminated hay.
- Dark red urine (hemoglobinuria due to red blood cell destruction)
- Severe diarrhea and colic
- Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Depression and loss of appetite
- Pale or purplish mucous membranes
Who is affected
Other species : Toxic to cattle (hematuria).
In pregnant mares : possible abortion linked to vascular disturbances.
Getting rid of it
Method : Uproot the entire plant before flowering, wearing gloves. Destroy uprooted parts by burning or deep burial to prevent dissemination.
- Inspect paddocks and grazing areas for Figwort and remove it, especially near wooded areas.
- Avoid grazing in damp undergrowth late in the season when grass is scarce.
- Ensure adequate forage to prevent horses from seeking out potentially toxic alternative plants.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Figwort from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Figwort dangerous in hay?
This entry flags hay vigilance. Isolate suspicious forage and ask for professional advice if exposure is possible.
This page is informational. If ingestion is likely, if signs appear, or if the horse is fragile, contact a veterinarian immediately.