phytotoxicology

Phytotoxicology is the study of plant poisons, also known as phytotoxins. Phytotoxins are substances that are poisonous to plants. These poisons can be produced by plants themselves and may serve as a defense mechanism against competitors or predators.123

The study of phytotoxicology involves classifying poisonous plants based on their toxic effects, such as being poisonous to eat, poisonous upon contact, causing photosensitization, or producing airborne allergies. Many different types of chemical compounds, including alkaloids, glycosides, and toxalbumins, can act as phytotoxins. For example, ricin from the castor bean is a highly toxic protein molecule.1