Arrowgrass
Triglochin maritima, T. palustris
- Plant type
- grasslike forb
- Settings
- Riparian and wet ground
- Risk
- High risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
Fleshy, dark green, half-round grasslike leaves in clumps 6 to 18 in tall; slender flower stalks up to 5 ft; wet salty or alkaline soils (ARS, Merck).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Avoid wet alkaline meadows after drought or frost.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Cyanogenic glycosides (triglochinin, taxiphyllin)
- Toxic parts
- Leaves and flower stalks
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. ARS: a small amount of stunted plant can kill a grown animal; goats not named.
Signs in goats
Gasping, frothing, twitching, staggering, convulsions, bright red blood; death within minutes (ARS).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
Most toxic when stunted by drought or frost and on regrowth; stays toxic in hay (ARS).
Sources
Links last checked: 2026-10-31