Poisonous Plants of the Central United States
H. A. Stephens
xiv, 166 pages, 559 black-and-white photographs, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2
Paper ISBN 978-0-7006-0204-9, $15.95
This illustrated handbook provides
detailed descriptions of approximately 300 poisonous plants--including
garden vegetables, flowers, and house plants--found in the central
portion of the United States. It is the only book to describe
the symptoms of poisoning in both humans and farm animals. The
information given for each species includes its scientific name,
common name, and family name; its physical characteristics--roots,
stems, leaves, flowers, fruit, and seeds; its habitat and range
of distribution; and--set apart for easy reference--its toxic
principle and the symptoms of poisoning.
Included are plants that cause chemical poisoning, photosensitization,
and the various forms of dermatitis and hay fever, as well as
those that cause mechanical injury. Over 500 photographs-all
but a handful taken of living specimens in the field by the author--aid
in identification. Following the descriptions is a table of the
plants found in the central states that are known to be poisonous.
Designed specifically for use by the layman, this guide will
help the general reader become aware of the poisonous plants
around him. It will be of considerable practical value to parents
of small children, home gardeners, field sportsmen, leaders of
outdoor youth groups, doctors, nurses, and veterinarians, and
it will be a significant aid to the rancher and farmer in identifying
plants that may be harmful to, or cause the death of, livestock.
Although written specifically for the central states, it can
be used in other regions as well: many of the plants discussed
are found throughout the country.
H. A. STEPHENS has devoted over fifty years to biology
education and botanical research, and is the author of Woody
Plants of the North Central Plains, Cacti in Kansas, and
the popular handbook Trees, Shrubs,
and Woody Vines in Kansas.
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