locoweed

noun

lo·​co·​weed ˈlō-(ˌ)kō-ˌwēd 

plural locoweeds

: any of several leguminous plants (genera Astragalus and Oxytropis) of western North America that contain a toxin that causes locoism especially in livestock when ingested in large quantities

Locoweed has been reported to be the most widespread poisonous plant problem in the western United States. … Horses appear to be more susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of locoweed, and they typically display more distinctive signs than cattle or sheep.

—Jason L. Turner and Kert Young

called also loco

Examples of locoweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The unincorporated community got its name after the locoweed, a common North American poisonous plant synonymous for causing livestock to grow weak and lose muscular control. —Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Jan. 2022

The drug is usually produced from wild hemp or locoweed which can be found on vacant lots and along railroad tracks in every state. —Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, 20 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

locoweed

noun

lo·​co·​weed ˈlō-kō-ˌwēd 

: any of several plants of the legume family that occur in western North America and cause poisoning in livestock

Medical Definition

locoweed

noun

lo·​co·​weed ˈlō-(ˌ)kō-ˌwēd 

: any of several leguminous plants (genera Astragalus and Oxytropis) of western North America that contain a toxin that causes locoism in livestock when ingested in large quantities

Animals may recover from locoweed intoxication; however, recovery is highly dependent on the severity of the poisoning. Most damage to cellular and bodily systems is reversible with time; however, brain damage may be permanent. This is evidenced by the observation that behavioral abnormalities often persist in animals even after animals have been removed from locoweed and apparent cellular damage has subsided.

—Daniel Cook et al., Rangelands (Society for Range Management)

called also loco