Poisonous Plants of Paradise: First Aid and Medical Treatment of Injuries from Hawaii's Plants

Can swallowing a poinsettia leaf kill you? Why do you have to cook taro before you eat it? Is cooking with oleander wood really dangerous? Poisonous Plants of Paradise, a well-researched and generously illustrated guide to potentially harmful plants in Hawai'i, answers these questions and many more in everyday language and in a user-friendly format.

Of value to both medical professionals and the general public, this handbook describes each plant in words and color photos, then identifies the plant's toxins, mechanism of injury, incidence, signs and symptoms, and traditional and modern uses. The authors offer first aid recommendations and discuss advanced medical treatment based on the latest published literature.

Health-care workers, naturalists, hikers, parents, and child-care providers will find Poisonous Plants of Paradise a highly useful and informative reference.

• Susan Scott, Author

  A former registered nurse, Susan Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Hawai‘i in 1985 and is a graduate of the university’s Marine Option Program, where she specialized in marine science journalism. Since 1987, Susan has written the weekly “Ocean Watch” column for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and has worked as a volunteer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1989.

• Craig Thomas, Author