In the 20 years that have passed since the publication of the first edition, both Poison Control Centers and Emergency Departments have witnessed an expansion in the number and variety of poisonings caused by toxic plants. At the same time, there is a proliferation in the diversity of plants in our gardens and homes, continually expanding the range of possible consequences from exposure to toxic plants.

This second edition of theHandbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants is created to assist the clinician in the initial response to the needs of a child or adult exposed to a poisonous or injurious plant. It lists common plants that might lead to the development of the symptom complex and describes the mechanisms of action of the implicated toxin, additional clinical manifestations, and specific therapeutics for each presentation. It has methodically enhanced the previous editions botanical rigor with insights from both pharmacognosy and clinical medicine to make it a truly comprehensive source.

With its thorough references and full-color photos of hundreds of potentially toxic and injurious plants inside the home, anyone who has an interest in plants will find this book useful outside in the garden or out in the wild.

This book will fascinate botanists, horticulturists, and naturalists as well as hikers, gardeners, and all those who simply enjoy the wonders of nature and the great outdoors!

With Foreword by Lewis R. Goldfrank, MD and Introduction by Andrew Weil, MD

Michael J. Balick, Ph.D., F.L.S.: Specialist in Ethnobotany and Economic Botany, Medicinal and Toxic Plants, and Tropical Botany. Vice President for Botanical Research and Training, The New York Botanical Garden. He has written or edited 14 books and over 100 scientific papers on the subject of useful and harmful plants as well as serving as a Past President of the Society for Economic Botany. He is on the adjunct faculties of Columbia, Yale, New York University, and The City University of New York.

Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., FACEP, FACMT: Board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology at New York University School of Medicine and the New York City Poison Control Center, in New York City. He is an editor of the 7th Edition of Goldfranks Toxicologic Emergencies, published by McGraw-Hill and considered by many as the flagship reference text in the field of medical toxicology.

Richard Shih M.D., FACEP: Board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology. Currently the Director of Residency Training Program in Emergency Medicine at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, NJ.