By Donald G. Crosby

Over-two thirds of the U.S. inhabitants is allergic to poison oak, poison ivy, or a similar plant. those and plenty of different universal vegetation in our houses, fields, and gardens are irritants that reason distress to many. yet strangely, there hasn't ever been a normal advisor to aid increase wisdom of them--and to assist stay away from them. This new booklet studies the historical past, prevalence, class, toxicity, and well-being elements of all of the significant allergenic and irritant species.

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Extra info for The Poisoned Weed: Plants Toxic to Skin

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Plants whose dermatotoxicity requires sunlight (phototoxicity), or which contain irritants whose poison ivy-like symptoms do not involve the immune system, are reviewed in the next chapter. 2 More Anacardiaceae Obviously, Toxicodendron is not the only dermatotoxic genus in the Anacardiaceae. Although a majestic rengas tree of the tropical jungle may seem very different from a poison oak vine or a shrubby thicket of Hawaiian Christmasberry, all these plants belong to the same family and produce similar allergens and toxic effects.

Allergy Since early in Earth’s history, single-celled organisms such as amoebas have fought enemies by either engulfing them or poisoning them. We vertebrates continue this primitive trait through various types of defensive cells that can inactivate foreign objects and so confer protection (‘‘immunity’’). The cells, known as leucocytes or white cells, are of three main types: phagocytes (monocytes and macrophages) that engulf and digest invaders; granulocytes (basophils and mast cells) that release a toxic mediator, often via proteins called immunoglobulins; and T- and B-lymphocytes that interact with the others through chemical signals (lymphokines).

The two remaining subspecies are found only in Asia. The Japanese ssp. orientale probably was derived from the Chinese hispidum, and both are closely related to the North American ssp. radicans. A more subtle difference between the two is that fruits of hispidum, when viewed through a hand lens, are covered with 1 mm hairs (they are bristly or hispid), whereas those of orientale are either hairless or very short-haired. The reviews by Gillis (1971a,b,c,d) give further taxonomic details, maps, and photos of all nine subspecies.

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The Poisoned Weed: Plants Toxic to Skin by Donald G. Crosby
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