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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #105011
Title: POISONOUS PLANT VOUCHERS

Author
item WAGSTAFF, D - OREM UTAH
item Wiersema, John
item LELLINGER, DAVID - SMITHSONIAN

Submitted to: Veterinary and Human Toxicology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Each year many persons and animals are treated for poisoning by plants. However, determining which plants are poisonous can be difficult if the cases of poisoning are not documented with adequate voucher specimens. This article presents the need for adequately documenting poison cases with plant voucher specimens and provides recommendations for specifically how this should be done. The publication will be used by veterinarians and toxicologists to guide them in documenting reports of animal poisoning.

Technical Abstract: Every published report of plant poisoning, whether experimental or accidental, should document plant identification. The essential elements are: complete botanical Latin name including species, specific epithet and author(s); name of the collaborating botanist who identified the plant and herbarium and collection number of a voucher specimen from the exposure elot. Additional information to aid identification might include plant photographs, drawings, and descriptions.