There are a great many diíferent kinds of plant defenses. Certain types protect the plant from all kinds of dangers, while others are effective only against certain enemies. There are defensive devices that serve only to repel enemies; others may do considerable harm to any animals that may attempt to attack the plant.
Plant poisons are efficient defenses
Among the most efficient plant defenses are the plant poisons, which take effect when the plant is touched or eaten. It is interesting to note that not all parts of the plant are equally toxic, or poisonous. Most of the poisons are concentrated in the plant parts that are most susceptible to attack: the leaves, in which food is manufactured, and the fruits and flowers, which serve for reproduction.
Different poisons produce varying effects on diíferent animals. Poison ivy (Rhus toxlcodendron), for example, brings about a very unpleasant skin rash in human beings, but it serves as the main source of food for certain insects which devour the leaves of the plant.
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