Anne Ophelia Todd Dowden (1907–2007)

The author is a botanical illustrator and does acknowledge a few scientists and the university who assisted her with information in tiny font on the inside cover. The text content uses precise and interesting language to describe poisonous plants and is narrative in structure; however, the content is not organized in a logical manner in my opinion. There never seems to be a conclusion to a chapter or section as indicated in the table of contents. It is one continuous rambling story about various poisonous plants and their toxins with history and stories of magic woven in between. As new topics of toxins are introduced so are the next poisonous plants. The plants are not organized by Genus or type of toxin; just a random story of poisonous plants. Illustrations of the plants with descriptions and scientific names are included on the pages of text that talk about their poisons. However, I was quite disappointed by page 14 to find that the author decides to discuss in an entire paragraph with accompanying illustrations of poisonous mushrooms and how wild mushrooms should not be collected. The author states "Of all plant groups, mushrooms are possibly the most dangerous." Mushrooms are in fact classified in their own Kingdom of Fungi and are not in a plant group. While the illustrations were beautiful, I did not enjoy the text of this book.… (más)

Dowden presents many familiar plants you may have in your yard, as an uninvited guest in your garden, or as accents to your house. She divides the books into three groups: the plants that harm (poisons), the plants that help (medicinals), and the plants whose powers draw from fancy and superstition. The 'poisons' section offers entries most will recognize. Poison Ivy, Poke Salet (Pokeweed) whose leaves are good to eat if you boil them in two changes of water, are mentioned. I've eaten them with scrambled eggs. Don't do this at home kids! The infamous hemlock that was used to execute Socrates. Water Hemlock that has been mistaken for wild carrots (Wild parsnip) too many times -- often with unfortunate results. The plants that serve as banes to livestock are mentioned. However, I stress that one should not use the common picture books, with sparse photos and embellished drawings, to find these plants in the wild, unless of course you are simply looking at them. The Flora of the Carolinas and John Kunkel Small's book serve as technical but rigorous guides to the plants in the southeastern United States. Books like Harris' illustrated Plant Glossary serve to make the use of these floras manageable.

There are such a great number of these types of books it is difficult to recommend any one. The overall presentation is good, but it is a bit old. Greek or Roman mythology and many folk tales that have followed many plants through the ages are discussed when the plants are mentioned. Plants that have yielded compounds for new drugs are covered, but there are many sources more specialized to cover these types. If your interests are not of a technical nature, the book is fine. Check it out from the library first to see if it's your cup of tea.… (más)