Bitter root (
Lewisia rediviva) is an erect, branching, rhizomatous, perennial herb, which secretes a milky sap when broken. It produces white or greenish white flowers arranged in 2-inch wide, loose, terminal, branched clusters at the ends of the stems or at the ends of the branches.
Toxic components
L. rediviva strongly resembles
milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and they are often mistaken for one another. Like milkweed, it is also highly toxic as it contains cardiac glycosides throughout the entire plant. Horses only need to consume 15 - 30 grams of leaves to be fatal.
