Wicked Plants

The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

By: Amy Stewart

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Beware! The sordid lives of plants behaving badly. A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. Amy Stewart, best-selling author of Flower Confidential, takes on over 200 of Mother Nature's most appalling creations in an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend.

Stewart renders a vivid portrait of evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, enlighten, and alarm even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.

©2009 Amy Stewart (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Culling legend and citing science, Stewart's fact-filled, A-Z compendium of nature's worst offenders offers practical and tantalizing composite views of toxic, irritating, prickly, and all-around ill-mannered plants." ( Booklist)

Reads like a Encyclopedic List

This was interesting but most of the plants were only lightly touched upon. I was hoping for a more detailed account of what they were and how they have been used. It was still interesting to find out how dangerous some plants can be and how some are used for common decoration.

Couldn't finish it

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend a print copy to someone who was very interested in plants. It's basically a research book, a list of plants.

Would you recommend Wicked Plants to your friends? Why or why not?

No, because it is basically a list of noxious plants and their characteristics. I thought it would be a nonfiction boo, k arranged as essays or themed chapter. Lists do not make entertaining reading.

What three words best describe Coleen Marlo’s performance?

Clear, accurate, educated.

Interesting

Parts were very interesting but then it felt like everything could make certain people react. Having certain allergies and sensitivities I was eager to learn about this but I think this is a book that is better either with an accompanying PDF if there is one or just get the hardcover which hopefully has visuals or photos. If you’re into hiking or really into nature, this probably is a must read though.

A physical book would have been better.

The narration was good, don’t get me wrong, but I wish I had a physical book or even a kindle copy to make notes etc. it would be easier to look up things later. Amazed at how many common plants can make you sick or kill you.

Better in print

This book describes poisonous and noxious plants. It’s more a list than a narrative: fascinating, but definitely better in print.

The narrator is very staccato and doesn’t emphasize words that might make the format more engaging. I slowed the narration to 0.9 to keep up with the barrage of truly interesting information.

It’s a fun and informative book that doesn’t translate well to audio.