Problem
Poisonous plants
Nature:
Poisonous plants produce and accumulate poisons during vital activity; the plants are toxic to animals and humans. The principle active substances are alkaloids, glycosides (including saponins), essential oils, and organic acids. They are generally found in all parts of the plant, but frequently in different quantities.
Incidence:
Poisonous plants include many mushrooms, equisetics, club mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms. In particular, poisonous berries abound. Hemlock and laburnum seed are noxious. In countries with temperate climates poisonous plants are most widely represented in the families: Ranunculaceae (crawfoot), Papaveraciae (poppy), Euphorbiaceae (spurges), Asclepiadaceae (milkweeds), Apocinaceae (dogbane), Solanaceae (nightshade), Scrophulariaceae (figwort), and Araceae (arum). Many plant poisons are valuable medicinal substances, for example, morphine, strychnine, atropine, and physostigmine.
Broader Problems:
Hazards to human health in the natural environment Narrower Problems:
Poisonous algaePoisoning by oak budsBracken fern poisoning in animalsPoisonous, allergenic and biologically active wood Related Problems:
Red tidesIgnorance of traditional herbal remedies References:
Vahrmeijer, J: Poisonous Plants of Southern Africa that Cause Stock LossesKeeler, Richard F, et al: Effects of Poisonous Plants on LivestockHirono, I: Naturally Occurring Carcinogens of Plant Origin: toxicology, pathology and biochemistryJames, Lynn F, et al: The Ecology and Economic Impact of Poisonous Plants on Livestock ProductionHails, Michael R: Plant Poisoning in Animals: a bibliography of world literature, 2Leeuwenberg, A J: Medical and Poisonous Plants of the Tropics Subject(s):
Plant Life → PlantsSocietal Problems → Poison
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST