Pretty but poisonous Plants poisonous to people: an illustrated guide for Australia By R.C.H. Shepherd ISBN 0958743991, published in 2004 by R.G. and F.J. Richardson, colour, gatefold cover, 202 pages Price $A45.00 plus $A11 postage within Australia, overseas postage please request a quote

Pretty but Poisonous is written for home and landscape gardeners, parents, child carers, grounds maintenance staff, bush walkers and all those who enjoy the great outdoors, to help identify plants that may cause poisoning, allergies or skin reactions in people.

The book uses easy-to-understand language and colour photographs to aid plant identification. It includes hints on how to avoid plant poisoning and what to do if poisoning does occur. A simple colour coding system has been used to establish how toxic each plant is - very poisonous, poisonous, allergenic or irritant. The book also details which parts of the plant are poisonous and the toxins that are likely to be encountered, as well as symptoms of poisoning. All these plants are found in Australia.

Table of contents

• Preface
• Introduction: Plant identification and the trouble with common names; Putting plants in family order; How plant poisoning occurs and what the symptoms might be; Pets and other animals; Ways to avoid plant poisoning; What to do in the case of plant poisoning; Simple treatments for minor irritant poisoning; Collecting a plant sample for identification; Garden thugs and noxious weeds.
• Acknowledgements
• Glossary
• References
• GUIDE TO POISONOUS PLANTS: Identification, toxins and symptoms of poisoning
• Key to plant toxicity
• MUSHROOMS: Agaricus xanthodermus Yellow stainer, Amanita muscaria Fly agaric; Amanita phalloides Death cap
• CYCADS: Cycas revoluta Dwarf sago palm
• FERNS: Pteridium esculentum Bracken
• BULBS, HERBS & SUCCULENTS: Agave americana Century plant; Cicuta virosa Cowbane; Conium maculatum Hemlock; Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant hogweed; Alocasia macrorrhizos Giant taro and similar species; Arum italicum Italian arum; Caladium bicolor Caladium; Colocasia esculenta Taro; Dieffenbachia seguine Dumb cane; Zantedeschia aethiopica Arum lily; Tanacetum vulgare Tansy; Cannabis sativa Indian hemp; Agrostemma githago Corn cockle; Euphorbia lathyris Caper spurge and similar species; Lupinus species Lupins; Iris foetidissima Stinking iris and similar species; Moraea flaccida One-leaf cape tulip and similar species; Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis Agapanthus; Alstroemeria aurea Peruvian lily; Amaryllis belladonna Belladonna lily; Clivia miniata Clivia; Colchicum autumnale Autumn crocus; Convallaria majalis Lily of the valley; Crinum angustifolium Field lily; Dianella species Flax lilies; Hippeastrum species Amaryllis; Hyacinthoides non-scripta English bluebell; Hyacinthus orientalis Hyacinth; Muscari armeniacum Grape hyacinth; Narcissus jonquilla Jonquil and similar species; Ornithogalum thyrsoides Chincherinchee; Polygonatum × hybridum Solomon’s seal; Tulipa hybrid cultivars Tulip; Eschscholzia californica California poppy; Papaver somniferum Opium poppy and similar species; Anagallis arvensis Scarlet pimpernel; Cyclamen persicum Cyclamen; Primula species Primroses; Aconitum napellus Monkshood; Consolida ambigua Larkspur; Delphinium × cultorum Delphinium; Helleborus species Hellebores; Pulsatilla vulgaris Pulsatilla; Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaf buttercup; Digitalis purpurea Foxglove; Atropa belladonna Deadly nightshade; Datura species Thornapples; Nicotiana tabacum Tobacco; Solanum rostratum Buffalo burr; Parietaria judaica Wall pellitory; Urtica species Stinging nettles.
• CLIMBERS & CREEPERS: Toxicodendron radicans Poison ivy; Allamanda cathartica Yellow allamanda; Philodendron scandens Heart-leaf philodendron; Hedera helix English ivy; Aristolochia elegans Dutchman’s pipe; Araujia sericifera Moth plant; Sarcostemma viminale subsp. australe Caustic vine; Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle; Ipomoea indica Purple morning glory; Abrus precatorius Crab’s eye; Lathyrus odoratus Sweet pea; Wisteria floribunda Japanese wisteria and similar species; Gloriosa superba Glory lily; Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina jessamine; Solandra maxima Chalice vine; Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia creeper .
• SHRUBS: Acokanthera oblongifolia Wintersweet and similar species; Allamanda neriifolia Allamanda; Cascabela thevetia Yellow oleander; Catharanthus roseus Pink periwinkle; Nerium oleander Oleander; Fatsia japonica Fatsia; Gomphocarpus fruticosus Swan plant and similar species; Caesalpinia gilliesii Bird of paradise flower; Euonymus europaeus European spindle tree and similar species; Hypericum androsaemum Tutsan; Kalmia angustifolia Sheep laurel and similar species; Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii Wulfen spurge and similar species; Jatropha curcas Physic nut and similar species; Ricinus communis Castor oil plant; Cytisus scoparius Broom; Spartium junceum Spanish broom; Swainsona galegifolia Smooth Darling pea; Hydrangea macrophylla Hydrangea; Melianthus major Cape honey flower and similar species; Ligustrum species Privets; Phytolacca americana Pokeweed and similar species; Cotoneaster species Cotoneasters; Brugmansia species Angel’s trumpets; Brunfelsia australis Yesterday, today and tomorrow; Cestrum diurnum Day jasmine and similar species; Lycium ferocissimum African boxthorn; Solanum species Nightshades; Daphne species Daphnes; Wikstroemia indica Tie bush; Lantana camara Lantana
• TREES: Schinus molle var. areira Pepper tree; Semecarpus australiensis Tar tree; Toxicodendron succedaneum Rhus and similar species; Plumeria rubra Frangipani; Ilex aquifolium Holly; Buxus sempervirens European box; Sambucus nigra Common elder; Corynocarpus laevigatus New Zealand laurel; Rhododendron species Rhododendrons/Azaleas; Castanospermum australe Black bean; Erythrina vespertilio Bat’s wing coral tree; Laburnum anagyroides Golden chain tree; Robinia pseudoacacia Black locust; Fagus sylvatica European beech; Quercus species Oaks; Cinnamomum camphora Camphor laurel; Melia azedarach White cedar; Ficus elastica Indian rubber plant; Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa Finger cherry and similar species; Grevillea pyramidalis Caustic bush; Grevillea robusta Silky oak and similar species; Prunus cerasifera Cherry plum; Prunus laurocerasus Cherry laurel; Aesculus hippocastanum Horse chestnut; Ailanthus altissima Tree of heaven; Taxus baccata Yew; Dendrocnide excelsa Giant stinging tree and similar species; Duranta erecta Duranta.
• Appendix 1 Foods that have poisonous properties
• Appendix 2 Some extremely poisonous plants that are rare in Australia
• Plant Name Index

About the author

Ros Shepherd gained her Master of Science degree from The University of Queensland in 1966 and Master of Agricultural Science degree from The University of Melbourne in 1984. She spent many years as a Senior Entomologist at the Keith Turnbull Research Institute in Frankston, Victoria working on the biological control of pest plants and animals, which included research in South Africa.

Ros has been actively involved in the Weed Society of Victoria and Council of Australian Weed Societies for many years. Her other recent publications include The Biology of Australian Weeds series and Plants of Importance to Australia: a Checklist. She is a keen gardener and bush walker and now spends much of her time travelling, in Australia and around the world, photographing plants.