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Glite Dictionary
crazy weed

crazy weed

9.9
A western North American plant that makes farm animals sick if they eat it
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : hierba loca
  • Cattle that graze on crazy weed often exhibit symptoms of poisoning.

Examples

  • Several species known as crazy weed are a concern for ranchers in the western United States.

  • Veterinarians warn that crazy weed can have long-term effects on livestock health.

  • The crazy weed can be harmful to livestock.

  • Farmers should monitor their fields for crazy weeds.

  • Cattle that graze on crazy weed often exhibit symptoms of poisoning.

  • Several species known as crazy weed can lead to serious health issues in livestock.

  • Veterinarians warn that crazy weed is particularly dangerous for horses and cattle.

Synonyms

locoweed
vscrazy weed
  • US
1 9.9

Plants in western North America that poison livestock when eaten

present a possible risk rather than asserting definite poisoning
crazyweed
vscrazy weed
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant from western North America that makes farm animals act nervous when eaten

is the same meaning but written as two separate words

Surface Forms

crazy weed singular
crazy weeds plural

Morphology

crazy + weed

The combination 'crazy' + 'weed' does give a clue — it suggests a weed associated with 'crazy' effects or abnormality — but the MWE refers to a specific group of leguminous plants that cause locoism in livestock, a technical meaning not directly derivable from the parts. A B1 learner could infer that it is an unusual or harmful weed, yet would not reliably infer the precise toxic/medical sense, making it only partially predictable.

Etymology

Crazy weed The plant name crazy weed comes from what the plant does to animals. When cattle eat the weed, its poison can make them act wild and unsteady, so they look 'crazy', and farmers used that picture to name the plant.