Al-Marj – Marwan Al-Asili, head of the veterinary medical professions syndicate in Al-Marj, warned of serious consequences from the spread of the poisonous “Abu Qrato” plant in local pastures. He said the toxic plant is now a direct threat to the safety of sheep, cattle, and goats, and could cause significant economic losses for livestock owners if urgent measures are not taken to contain its spread.
Al-Asili told the Libyan News Agency that recent floods and weather conditions have fueled the expansion of the plant’s growth in grazing areas. He urged herders to take extra precautions to protect their animals from the plant’s harmful effects.
He noted a worrying increase in reports of severe cases among livestock. These include blindness, swollen ears, cracked and peeling skin, as well as drops in production and an overall decline in herd health.
Al-Asili warned that the danger from this weed is not limited to specific seasons. He explained that it now poses a year-round threat since recent climate events. Waiting until the end of summer or fall is no longer a viable solution for protecting herds. He added that traditional control methods, such as burning and deep plowing, have failed to eradicate the plant.
Al-Asili called on the relevant state authorities to develop an urgent national strategy to combat the Abu Qrato plant. He urged them to supply effective pesticides to eliminate the weed without harming the environment or livestock. He also called for coordinated efforts to safeguard animal resources and stability in the livestock sector.
The plant, known locally as “Abu Qrato” and scientifically as Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra, is a perennial wild herb in the St. John’s wort family. It grows naturally across the Mediterranean region, extending to western Iran, and its classification is recognized by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s “Plants of the World” database.
Its danger lies in compounds that are sensitive to light, particularly hypericin and pseudohypericin. These substances enter animals’ bodies when ingested during grazing and then react with sunlight. This causes primary photosensitization or light-induced poisoning and leads to skin cell damage, especially in exposed or lightly-haired areas.
Symptoms usually present as redness and severe swelling, especially on the face and ears, followed by cracking, ulceration, or necrosis of the skin. Eyes may also be affected, impairing the animal’s ability to see in severe cases, along with pain, reduced mobility, lower productivity, and general health decline. The plant is linked to cases of photosensitization in sheep, goats, and cattle. Risk increases if affected animals remain exposed to sunlight.
Immediate prevention involves removing animals from contaminated pastures and protecting them from sunlight at the first sign of illness. Veterinary examination is necessary to assess and treat skin and eye damage. Controlling the plant’s spread requires identifying its growth areas and combating it with scientific methods that do not harm grazing grounds or livestock.