App Identifies Toxic Weeds

Tim Hammerich

News Reporter

What happens if your pet or livestock eats a plant, and you are worried it might be toxic? Researchers at the University of Florida have developed an app to help identify noxious weeds. Chris Marble is one of them. He’s assistant professor at the University of Florida Mid-Florida Research and Education Center.

Marble… “I started looking through a lot of the toxic plant guides that are out there, and there's some really great information. But just some of the information was lacking in terms of the plants that we have specific in Florida, and then, you know, just in the Southeast in general.”

So he enlisted the help of colleagues to identify these weeds in nursery, landscape, and pastoral systems, and ultimately, build the app.

Mable… “We've got some other faculty in that were specialized in other areas: Brent Sellers, you know, on the livestock side of things. And so, that's how it came about.”

The tool is a web-based app that you can find online and use for free. But, Marble says, you should always consult your veterinarian or physician.

Mable… “One thing to keep in mind with all these toxic plant apps and stuff like that. They're all sources and everything, but people should, you know, if they suspect poisons and stuff like that, speak to a veterinarian, speak to a physician. We're horticulturist and weed scientists, so we definitely can't give any medical advice or anything like that. We're going to help you on the plant side, but speak with someone who has expertise in those other areas, if they're suspect and you know, something's wrong.”