Southwestern University Map

Medicinal Plants in Blue                                                        Harmful Plants in Red

A= Cleavers -- Galium aparine                                                1= Bur Oak-- Quercus macrocarpa

B= Yarrow -- Achillea millefolium                                           2= Texas Mountain laurel-- Sophora secundiflora

C= Ashe Juniper -- Juniperus ashei                                         3= Ashe Juniper-- Juniperus ashei

D= Gumweed -- Grindelia spp.                                                4= Japanese Privet-- Ligustrum japonicum

E= Evening Primrose -- Oenethera speciosa                              5= Greenbrier-- Smilax bona-nox

F= Rosemary -- Rosemarinus officinalis                                   6= Paloverde-- Parkinsonia aculeata

G= Chickweed -- Stellaria media                                             7= Heavenly Bamboo-- Nandina domestica

H= Dandelion -- Taraxacum officinale                                     8= Chinaberry-- Melia azedarach

I=  Texas Mountain Laurel -- Sophora secundiflora                  9= Yarrow-- Achillea millefolium

J= Purple prairie verbena -- Glandularia bipinnatifida              10= Dandelion-- Taraxacum officinale

K= Greenbrier -- Smilax bona-nox

L= Japanese Privet --  Ligustrum japonicum 

Chinaberry Seeds Toxic to Pets

The berries of the Chinaberry tree are a frequent pet owner problem. These yellow, marble-sized, poisonous fruits are appealing to pets who readily consume them. The modified toxin nortriterpene, which is a naturally occurring plant produced insecticide, produces the following symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody feces, stomach pain, pulmonary congestion, cardiac arrest, rigidity, lack of coordination, and weakness. 

If presented with this problem repeat the following simple tasks:

                   1. Stop further ingestion of the plant

                   2. Induce vomiting using 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and rinse mouth thoroughly 

                   3. Seek Emergency Veterinary Assistance 

Thanks to Paws Dog Day Care for these helpful tips

Cleavers -- Spring Tonics

Cleavers grow like weeds and are extremely easy to find in untamed areas of grass. On the Southwestern Campus, these can be found on the edges of campus or in areas that are allowed to grow (behind the observatory).


Is the change in weather and pollen causing you to have allergies? One great way to help soothe your lymphatic system and lungs is Cleavers. You can make a great juice or lemonade that will help (via glycerite) to gently move old residue from our blood and lymph nodes. 

Thanks to Motherherbs for this recipe for juice:

To make a juice:

1. Gather a big ole handful of these long lanky plants.  Usually you can easily pull the plant by walking past it.
2. Chop or cut with scissors into about 2-3 inch lengths
3. Put this mass in a sturdy, decently powerful blender
4. Pulse the blender, because you will need to keep pressing the plant closer to the blades
5. If necessary add small amounts of water as you blend
6. Pour off the juicy goodness and consume immediately

You can also put it in your juicer if you have one.  If you don't cut it small enough, the fibrous stem could get wrapped around your blade.

Cleavers is safe for use with children and pregnant mamas.  It can be useful if there is swelling  and poor circulation due to water retention (during pregnancy) and inflammation.

As always, please consult with an experienced health care practitioner if you are interested in adding plant medicines to your life.

Once again, Thanks to Motherherbs for this recipe for juice. 

Recent Literature

• Toxicity of Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) leaf 
• Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) seed toxicity
• Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) and its protective effect against cellular death
• A neuroprotective compound in Ligustrum japonicum leaves