Poisonous Plants

Did you know there are 133 poisonous species of plants and fungi in Britain alone, or that around 2000 people suffer from the toxins of wild plants every year in Britain? Are all parts of a yew tree poisonous or is there a small non-toxic aril?

Corncockle Agrostemma githago	Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum

I don't remember when my interest in the toxic side of plants began but knowing why things happen or work has always been a part of me. The biochemical aspect of the subject fitted well with my studies at university and then I found that I had, unwittingly, photographed quite a lot of the species to be found in the British Isles. Following that up with a little library research and there was ample material for a talk.

The story I unfold looks at some historical cases (eg. Socrates and Sir Walter Raleigh), your own houseplants, medicines and much more. Details of the biochemistry are kept to a minimum but do reveal interesting features.

The talk is illustrated with many slides of the plants themselves, concentrating on the ones found in Britain month by month.

Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare)	Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia)	Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum)

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All photographs are the copyright of Ian R.Whitehead and may not be used without written permission.

© Ian R.Whitehead 2000