Poisonous Plants and Venomous Animals of Alabama and Adjoining StatesWisteria, mistletoe, oleander, milkweed, narcissus, yellow Jessamine, wild hydrangea, trillium, all are plants easily recognized by most people. But these and more that 200 other plants in Alabama and the Southeast can cause systemic poisoning if ingested by human beings and livestock. This book describes these poisonous plants, including various mushrooms, and discusses the toxic properties, symptoms of poisoning, habitat occurrence, and geographic distribution. One chapter describes plants that cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions-plants including poison ivy, poison sumac, ragweed, clematis, and red maple. Other chapters of the book discuss venous animals-not only the six venomous snakes of the Southeast but also certain jellyfishes, centipedes, spiders, scorpions, stinging caterpillars, wasps, hornets, bees, catfishes, stingrays, and others- that might be encountered by people during recreation or work. The authors describe habitat occurrence, geographic distribution, and general life history and behavior for these animals. Numerous color photographs and drawings of both plants and animals are included for identification, as well as hundreds of range maps. The authors encourage an appreciation for the protective mechanisms hat help plants and animals defend themselves against predators or other threats. Although people must be able to recognize a poisonous plant or venomous animal in order to avoid suffering unwary contact, the book reassures the reader that Alabama's flora and fauna gives us little cause to worry on a relative scale. The information provided increases our understanding of and admiration for these species and their environments. |
Contents
Vascular Plants Causing Dermatitis or Other Forms of Irritation | 222 |
Venomous Vertebrates | 285 |
Harmless Animals That Appear Dangerous | 321 |
Common terms and phrases
Alabama Habitat Occurrence Alabama MISSISSIPPI TENNESSEE alkaloids Amanita apex areas Asclepias axillary bama bite bracts capsule Carolina caterpillar catfish cause cluster cm long cm wide Coastal Plain common counties Croton cultivated death dermatitis diarrhea eastern United erect herb expected throughout Alabama Florida and Texas flowers Found throughout Alabama fruit genus Geographic Distribution glycoside History and Behavior humans inflorescence ingestion irritant Known range leaf leaflets livestock lobed Lobelia meters tall milkweed MISSISSIPPI TENNESSEE FLORIDA mushrooms North northern Noturus occurs in Alabama Occurs throughout Alabama oxalates pain perennial petals petioles pit viper Plate Poisonous Plants range in Alabama Range in eastern rhizome Rhododendron roadsides sandy seeds sepals shrub soil south to Florida southeastern southern Species in Alabama species occurs Species Recognition spiders spines stamens stem sting stingray swamps TENNESSEE FLORIDA GEORGIA Toxic Properties toxins tree United States Known venomous animals vine Virginia vomiting wasps waste places