Goat's-Rue (Galega officinalis) is a herbaceous, perennial plant which is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is native to Europe and Western Asia. It produces pea-like bluish-lilac colored flowers and cylindrical seed pods.
Goat's-Rue contains the alkaloid galegine, which is neurotoxic and hypotensive. Massive pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, and fluid accumulation in other tissues causes acute death. Clinical signs of poisoning in sheep can occur at doses as low as 0.2% body weight. Animals either die acutely or they seem to adapt to the plant and can eat increasing amounts of the plant. Horses rarely eat the plant unless no other food source is available.
