The knowledge base of poisonous plants in Ghana together with an experimental test of plant toxicity and an investigation of the potential of DNA for forensic analysis of poisoning was studied in this thesis. A ethnobotanical survey to determine the mowledge base of poisonous plants (including their symptoms, poisoning and mtidotes) was undertaken by questioning 90 livestock holders (livestock farmers, Veterinary/extension staff and herbahsts) throughout Ghana. 50 species from 29 different plant famihes were identified as poisonous, or as antidotes., together with an additional 20 unidentified plants were shown (or given) to the author and subsequently identified to species if possible.