Welcome to 'Poisonous Plants in Britain and Ireland', the fast, easy and accurate method of identifying around 2000 plants in 229 groups. Most of these are plants of the home, garden and countryside that are potentially poisonous if eaten or touched. In addition, many non-poisonous plants that are frequently eaten by children are also included.
Plants can be identified by answering simple questions about what they look like. If you are unsure how to answer a question you can 'Skip' it, and at any time you can 'Review' and change your answers. The answer that you give is used to reduce the number of remaining suspects, and the next best question is automatically offered. When five or fewer suspects remain, photographic images of the plants can be called upon to visually complete and confirm your identification. You can then look at toxicity information and a detailed description. For further information, please refer to the User Guide.
Identifications can only be made from fresh plant material. They will not be possible if the material is damaged, old, cooked or incomplete and should not be attempted from memory or pictures. 'Poisonous Plants...' has not been designed for the identification of plant material in stomach contents.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
'Poisonous Plants in Britain and Ireland' on CD-ROM is designed for use by non-botanists as a guide to the most common poisonous plants in Britain and Ireland. It is intended as an educational tool and is to be used for that purpose only. Medical professionals may use 'Poisonous Plants...' as a guide to the identification of plants implicated in cases of suspected human poisoning and to determine their potential toxicity. Members of the public must not use 'Poisonous Plants...' to diagnose or treat plant poisoning. If you suspect that you or someone-else has been poisoned by a plant, you are advised to seek medical attention immediately, taking a good sample of the plant with you. If a plant is not included in 'Poisonous Plants...' you should not assume that it is non-toxic. All plants should be considered potentially hazardous.
Although the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, no guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made to this effect. Please refer to the Warranty and Disclaimer section of the User Guide for further information.
HAZARD WARNING
Some plants may be irritant, allergenic or poisonous on handling. For your safety and protection, when examining plant material please wear gloves and when handling sappy plants or fruits wear safety goggles.
COPYRIGHT
Data, text, images, interfaces and packaging ⌐ Medical Toxicology Unit of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1995-2000
Identification Engine Software ⌐ System Simulation Limited, 1995
Microsoft Visual Basic Version 4.0 ⌐ Microsoft Corp., 1987-1995
InstallShield« Express Version 2.12 ⌐ InstallShield« Software Corporation, 1999
'Poisonous Plants and Fungi in Britain and Ireland' on CD-ROM is produced by the Medical Toxicology Unit of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Editor: E. A. Dauncey
Botany: T. G. J. Rayner Mycology: D. A. Shah-Smith
Toxicity Monographs: N. S. Bates and others from the Poisons Information Service of the Medical Toxicology Unit
Toxicity Editors: N. S. Bates, R. G. Bogle, M. Nicholls and F. S. Northall
Consultant Toxicologist: V. S. G. Murray
Additional Editing: M. C. Cooper, J. N. Edwards, S. E. Evans, A. W. Johnson, G. G. Kibby, D. N. Pegler, H. D. V. Prendergast, P. J. Roberts, B. M. Spooner and J. H. Tempowski
Software: M. Jackson, J. E. H. Quilliam and System Simulation Limited
The development of this CD-ROM was funded by the following organisations. Their generous support is gratefully acknowledged:
Special Trustees of Guy's Hospital
Research and Development Department, British Library
