Toxic Plant Reporting Form

Purpose

This form documents toxic plant sightings for internal ranch records, submission to extension services for identification, or reporting to land management agencies. Complete documentation helps track toxic plant populations over time and supports management decisions.

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SECTION 1: REPORTER INFORMATION

SECTION 2: LOCATION INFORMATION

Property Address

Specific Location on Property

Location Description

Describe the specific location (helpful if GPS unavailable): ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

Habitat Description

□ Wooded area □ Along fence line □ Near water source □ Disturbed/bare soil □ Roadside □ Low/wet area □ Hilltop/ridge □ Shaded area □ Full sun area □ Other: _______________

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SECTION 3: PLANT DESCRIPTION

Suspected Identification

|-------|-------------| | Common Name | | | Scientific Name (if known) | | | Confidence Level | □ Certain □ Probable □ Uncertain | | How Identified | □ Previous knowledge □ ID guide □ App □ Other |

Physical Description

□ Shrub (woody, multiple stems) □ Forb/herb (non-woody, broad leaves) □ Grass-like □ Vine □ Other: _______________

□ 6 inches - 1 foot □ 1-3 feet □ 3-6 feet □ >6 feet

□ Biennial (two years) □ Perennial (multiple years) □ Unknown

Leaf Characteristics

□ Opposite (pairs across from each other) □ Whorled (3+ from same point) □ Basal rosette (leaves at ground level) □ Unknown

□ Compound (multiple leaflets) □ Needle-like □ Grass-like

□ Serrated (toothed) □ Lobed □ Wavy □ Unknown

____________________________________________________________

Stem Characteristics

□ Square □ Angled □ Hollow □ Solid

□ Smooth □ Spiny □ Milky sap □ Colored sap □ Sticky

Flower/Fruit (if present)

|-------|-------------| | Color | | | Shape | | | Size (approximate) | | | Arrangement | □ Single □ Cluster □ Spike □ Umbrella |

|-------|-------------| | Type | □ Berry □ Pod □ Capsule □ Bur □ Other | | Color | | | Size | |

Root (if visible/pulled)

□ Fibrous (many small roots) □ Bulb □ Rhizome (underground stem) □ Unknown/not examined

Odor

□ No □ Not checked

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SECTION 4: POPULATION INFORMATION

Extent of Infestation

□ 2-10 plants □ 11-50 plants □ 50-100 plants □ >100 plants □ Unable to count

□ 100 sq ft - 1/4 acre □ 1/4 - 1 acre □ 1-5 acres □ >5 acres

□ Scattered individuals □ Multiple patches □ Widespread throughout pasture □ Along linear feature (fence, road, creek)

Growth Stage

□ Vegetative (growing, no flowers) □ Flowering □ Seed/fruit formation □ Dormant □ Dead/dying

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SECTION 5: CONTEXT AND HISTORY

Discovery Information

□ New land assessment □ Animal health investigation □ Noticed incidentally □ Reported by employee/neighbor □ Other: _______________

□ No - new this year/season □ Unknown/first inspection

Recent Changes

□ Construction □ Flooding □ Drought □ Fire □ Grazing change □ New seed/hay introduced □ None noted □ Other: _______________

Historical Notes

Any relevant history about this location or plant: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

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SECTION 6: LIVESTOCK EXPOSURE

Current Livestock Access

□ No

|-------|-------------| | Species | □ Cattle □ Horses □ Sheep □ Goats □ Other | | Number of Head | | | How Long in Pasture | |

Evidence of Consumption

□ No visible evidence □ Unknown

Animal Health Issues

□ No □ Unknown

____________________________________________________________

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SECTION 7: PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo Documentation

• [ ] Close-up of leaves
• [ ] Stem detail
• [ ] Flowers (if present)
• [ ] Fruits/seeds (if present)
• [ ] Roots (if visible)
• [ ] Location/habitat context
• [ ] Scale reference (ruler, hand, etc.)
• _______________
• _______________
• _______________
• _______________

Physical Sample

|-------|-------------| | Date Collected | | | Parts Collected | □ Leaves □ Stems □ Flowers □ Seeds □ Roots | | Storage Method | □ Pressed □ Paper bag □ Plastic bag □ Frozen | | Sample Location | |

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SECTION 8: ACTION REQUESTED

Purpose of Report

□ Document for internal records □ Report to extension service □ Request management recommendations □ Report to land management agency □ Insurance/legal documentation □ Other: _______________

Assistance Needed

□ Toxicity information □ Management/control recommendations □ Herbicide recommendations □ On-site visit from expert □ Testing services □ Other: _______________

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SECTION 9: SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Submission Record

Follow-Up

SECTION 10: ACTION TAKEN

Management Actions

Follow-Up Monitoring

____________________________________________________________

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SUBMISSION CONTACTS

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

• Phone: _______________
• Email: _______________
• Address: _______________
• Phone: (979) 845-8032

Online Resources

• Texas A&M: agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
• USDA Plants Database: plants.usda.gov
• iNaturalist: inaturalist.org (for community identification)

Download Options

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Related Resources

• 4.4.1 Texas Toxic Plant ID Cards
• 4.4.4 Pasture Walk Inspection Guide
• 4.1 Texas Toxic Plants Guide
• 4.2.10 Seasonal Poisoning Calendar