Things You'll Need:
- Field Guide to Plants
- Magnifying Glass (optional)
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Step 1
Observe the plant in question. Take a look at its leaves, stems, flowers and berries (if present). Also, take note of the habitat in which the plant is growing and of its height. Be sure to not touch any unidentified plant with your hands. Use a magnifying glass to get a better look at the parts of an unidentified plant. While observing the plant, also be sure to never take a taste of any part of the plant.
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Step 2
Consult a field guide to poisonous plants or to plants in general. A good source of information on poisonous plants is the "Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants". Field guides will give you information on the appearance of plants, likely habitats, as well as information on plant toxicity. In addition, field guides contain pictures of plants which may be helpful in your identification.
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Step 3
Search the Internet for information on poisonous plants. There are various databases online which allow you to search for a poisonous plant by name or to search by plant characteristics.
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Step 4
Speak to people who may have information on poisonous plants in your area. People who work at local parks, on nature trails or in botanical gardens may be of assistance. Often, these people are educated in the science of plant identification and will be able to answer questions you may have about poisonous plant identification.
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Step 5
Contact your local poison control center. Poison control centers can be a wealth of information when it comes to poisonous plants. They can answer specific questions you may have about a poisonous plant over the phone, and they can also mail you a listing of poisonous plants that can be found in your area.
