Cardiotoxicity of plants in South Africa : editorial

The floral kingdom of southern Africa comprises well over 30 000 species of higher plants, many of which have the potential to be toxic to animals and humans. Livestock losses due to poisoning by plants have been significant over the years and have prompted extensive research efforts. Although there is a considerable body of information in the veterinary field, there is a paucity of published data on human poisoning in South Africa. While poisoning in livestock and humans is mainly accidental (e.g. confusing toxic with edible species, contamination of foodstuffs, for example by mycotoxins and other toxin-elaborating organisms, or perhaps overwhelmingly by medicinal use of plants in traditional medical practice), it may be deliberate.