The potential toxicity of Ilex myrtifolia in beef cattle

Spatial and temporal patterns of death loss in a beef cowherd indicated a p ossible relationship between the loss of Ii cows and the consumption of Ile x myrtifolia (myrtle leaf holly). To investigate this relationship, plant m aterial from Ilex myrtifolia was harvested and 2 feeding trials were perfor med. The 1(st) trial involved intermittent feeding of plant material to 4-m o-o calves for 2 w, and the 2(nd) trial was continuous plant feeding to 2-m o-o calves for 35 d. No significant clinical pathology, histological or gro ss lesions resulted and no clinical signs consistent with the original herd problem were observed, suggesting that berries, leaves and stems from Ilex myrtifolia were not sufficiently toxic to induce clinical effects under th ese experimental conditions.