How to Control Heliotrope
Heliotrope is a flowering plant that is a member of the Boraginaceae family of plants. The Heliotropium genus contains several species, some of which are poisonous to pets, wildlife and livestock. Certain methods of control can help reduce the growth of the toxic varieties, including Heliotropium europaeum, Heliotropium arborescens and Heliotropium amlexicaule. Poisonous varieties contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that, when consumed by some animals, can lead to weight loss, depression, aggression and death. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Use grazing management to restrict the growth of heliotrope. Move livestock off pastures prior to overgrazing, in order to avoid reduced pasture vigor, a condition that leads to the invasion of heliotrope. In small pastures, provide adequate supplemental feed to minimize the risk of overgrazing.
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Place goats and sheep in pastures with heliotrope to help control the growth of this toxic weed. These livestock have a higher resistance to the toxins and are suitable for preventing the overgrowth of this plant. Rotate the sheep and goats each year to avoid subjecting the same individual animals to the heliotrope year after year.
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Cultivate pastures that contain heliotrope, especially if you intend to keep horses, cattle and pigs in the area. Plow the pasture in the springtime, after the heliotrope seedlings begin to appear in the soil. Repeat the plowing a week later to eliminate late-start seedlings. Check the soil prior to planting new pasture grass and repeat plowing until no heliotrope seedlings remain in the soil.
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Pull up heliotrope in small areas, such as corrals and barnyards. Remove them before they blossom and go to seed. Water the plants about 24 hours prior to weeding, to help loosen their roots and make removal easier. Grasp the plants near their base and pull straight up. Remove the uprooted vegetation from areas accessed by animals.
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Apply a chemical herbicide to large areas of heliotrope that grow in established pastures. Use a registered, systemic herbicide. Apply the chemical in the early spring when the heliotrope plants show signs of active growth. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and pay close attention to the safety precautions on the label.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove horses, cattle and pigs from pastures that contain heliotrope. Although most animals avoid eating it, ingesting heliotrope can cause depression, aggression and death in certain species.
