Flower kills Goats in #kenya

A poisonous, invasive shrub threatens to occupy one of Kenya's major
forests in the Rift Valley.
Kenya Forest Service Service (KFS) and environmental experts are now
battling to stop the rapacious plant that is so poisonous that goats
and cows are dying after eating its leaves or stalk.
The sprawling shrub has spread through Kipteber, Kapkanyar
Kapkutung and some sections of Kipkunur forest, which are all parts
of Cherangany forest block - one of Kenya's five water towers.
Elgeyo Marakwet County director of environment Sally Kiboss says the
shrub, known as Yellow cestrum, multiplies rapidly through vegetative
means and through seeds.
She says the plant has occupied an estimated 300 hectares of the
forest and is still spreading.
"This weed develops thick undergrowth which inhibits the growth of
other plant species existing in the forest," Kiboss said during a tour to
the forest.
She says it must be eradicated. Fearful locals are still smarting from
the invasion of Prosopis juliflora (locally known as mathenge), a
stubbornly invasive shrub that colonised huge sections of northern
Kenya and poisoned domestic animals.
"We are now rolling up our sleeves to destroy this invasive weed,"
says Kiboss.
Area residents say yellow cestrum has killed at least 200 goats while
others have turned blind in the past one year.
Mathew Cheruiyot, a farmer in Kapcherop, says goats are the most
affected because they browse on the plant's leaves when they are dry.
Cheruiyot's sentiments are echoed by Ken Kuto, a resident of Kipteber
in Marakwet West, who says the exotic plant also stifles the growth of
other plants in the forest.
He says yellow cestrum plants have a thick undergrowth which kills
off other plants.
Kuto says the plant was introduced there about 20 years ago by John
Chemaringo, a US-based Kenyan who planted it on his compound in
Trans Nzoia County as a live hedge. Some studies say a white settler
brought it in 1956.
Cestrum is widely cultivated in gardens as an ornamental plants in
some developed countries. It is a semi-evergreen shrub that is native
to South America and grows about six to eight feet tall. It bears
clusters of deceivingly beautiful, bright yellow flowers near the stem
tips. It grows vigorously even in droughts and has been declared an
invasive pest in several African countries and Australia.
KFS officials in Kapcherop say whole parts of the plant are poisonous.
"The leaves, stems and leaves are toxic," one officer said.
Marakwet KFS zonal manager Alfred Nyaswabu said the service has
mapped all the areas invaded by the plant and the community will be
mobilised to uproot it before it spreads deeper into the forest.
Nyaswabu said KFS will employ viable management options used in
other countries to destroy the plant.
He says KFS has not established the correct number of animals which
have died after feeding on the weed.
"Locals have been planting it on their homesteads due to its beautiful
flowers and thick undergrowth," Nyaswabu said.
A letter seen by the Star shows that KFS wrote to Kenya Forest
Research Institute (KEFRI) on March 18, 2014, seeking the best
management options to eliminate the plant.
Following the request, Kefri visited the affected areas and prepared a
report that focused on the plant's history and appropriate ways of
destroying it.
The report acknowledges that the weed is indeed poisonous and a
threat to growth of indigenous trees in the Cherangany forest block
and other forests in the area.
"The plant is poisonous to livestock even in its native area," the report
says.
According to the report, the plant is scientifically known as cestrum
auranticum and was originally introduced to Kenya by a white settler
in 1956.
It recommends use of mechanical means including hand pulling, rotar
tilling and mowing to eliminate the plant.
It also recommends the combination of chemical and mechanical
means to stop its spread.
Although use of fire to gut it is an option, environmentalists have
warned that burning the plants will be disastrous because fire may
spread to other areas of the forest.
Most farmers who spoke to the Star do not have a local name of the
weed, only referring to it as an exotic plant.
Due to its poisonous nature, its beautiful yellow flowers do not attract
insects and birds.
"You can't see any bird or insect going near the areas where these
plants have grown," Ayub Peter, a resident in the affected area, says.
The weed also produces white, fleshy fruits which are poisonous.
ALL ABOUT YELLOW CESTRUM
Originally introduced to Kenya by a white settler in 1956.
It flowers non-stop nearly all year long at the tips of the branches.
It is very tolerant of most soils, and is very drought tolerant once
established.
The shrub has spread to more than 300 hectares of Cherangany forest
and is still spreading.
Has been declared invasive species in many countries including
Australia.
It is very poisonous. Residents say it has killed at least 200 goats
while others have turned blind
Animals stomachs bloat before they painfully die in a few hours.
Post-mortem examination of poisoned animals usually reveals
extensive internal haemorrhaging.