What constituent of the yarrow plant creates a very bitter taste, naturally deterring livestock from overgrazing it?

Answer

Tannins

Yarrow possesses natural defenses that prevent overconsumption by grazing animals, and this defense mechanism is linked to a specific chemical component within the plant structure. The presence of tannins is responsible for imparting a distinctly bitter flavor profile to the yarrow plant. This intense bitterness acts as a natural deterrent, making the plant unpalatable or highly unpleasant to taste for many species of livestock. Consequently, animals tend to selectively avoid grazing on yarrow, which limits their natural exposure to higher doses that might otherwise lead to accidental toxicity symptoms like severe vomiting or diarrhea. For humans, consuming very large medicinal quantities can mirror these toxic effects, but the tannins serve as an important, built-in mechanism against excessive intake in herbivorous animals.

What constituent of the yarrow plant creates a very bitter taste, naturally deterring livestock from overgrazing it?

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