Which plant causes hemolysis?

• A. red maple (acer)
• B. onions and garlic (allium)
• C. brassica
• D. night-blooming jessamine (cestrum)

Answer: (A)

Hemolysis from plant-induced oxidative injury to red blood cells is being tested. Red maple leaves, especially when wilted, contain an oxidant that damages equine erythrocytes, causing Heinz body formation and rapid hemolysis. This is a well-documented and classic cause of acute hemolytic anemia in horses after ingestion of wilted leaves. The other plants listed do not have this same, established link to hemolysis in this context: while onions and garlic can cause oxidative damage and hemolysis in various species, they are not the representative plant associated with this specific equine syndrome; brassica and night-blooming jessamine do not produce the same hemolytic oxidative injury pattern.