‘Springbokbossie’ ‘Malkopharpuis’ Hertia pallens
By Dr Mackie Hobson BSc(Agric),BVSc

1. Poisoning

Hertia pallens affects the liver and lungs which has been seen in sheep but as yet it has NOT been reported in Angora goats.

What does Springbokbossie look like?

A bushy shrub 1m high with papery stems and linear flat opposite leaves (25mm x 4mm). Yellow to golden flowers.

Hertia pallens ‘Springbokbossie’ (i-spot)

Occurs on degraded soils, hillsides and rocky slopes, dry river beds and along roadsides.

Clinical signs

• Dyspnoea (difficult breathing), cyanosis
• Anorexia
• cterus
• Emphyseamia of lungs and subcutaneous tissue
• Sudden death

Post mortem findings?

• Yellow enlarged liver
• Icterus
• Serosal and visceral haemorrhages
• Lung oedema

Reference:
Plant Poisonings and Mycotoxicoses of livestock in Southern Africa – Kellerman, Coetzee, Naude