Why is this shrub called a staggerbush?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

August 10, 2001

Staggerbush (Lyonia mariana) is a native to the southeastern U.S. This spring blooming shrub is toxic to sheep, cattle, and horses. Domestic animals usually will not eat the plant, but during times of drought they may have little else for forage. The toxins in the Lyonias cause vertigo, blindness, salivation, vomiting,

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Strenuous Life by Charles M. Russell

and uncoordinated movements, hence the name staggerbush. Death generally follows.

For some reason, the toxins in the Lyonias do not affect the native deer. But hunters have noted similar symptoms to staggerbush poisoning in dogs that have been fed the internal organs of deer.

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