Family Anacardiaceae – Cashew and Sumac


Family Anacardiaceae – Cashew & Sumac Family

Poison Ivy Three Leaves

Poison Ivy – Toxicodendron radicans: “Leaves of three, let them be”

Poison ivy is undergoing an explosive surge in range, prevalence, and toxicity worldwide, due to the particular effects of increased CO2 concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere. [1]

Notable plants in a diverse family include: Poison ivy, Cashew, the Sumacs, Pistachio and Mango.  Trees, vines, or shrubs each with small flowers, highly poisonous, sometimes foul smelling resinous or milky sap.

American Smoke Tree Foliage

American Smoke Tree – Cotinus obovatus

Important commercial crops in this family include the cashew and pistachio nuts, mangos, and imbu (Spondias). Resins, oils and lacquers are obtained from plants in genus Toxicodendron. There are about 600 species in 70 genera.

Smooth Sumac – Rhus Glabra

Fragrant Sumac – Rhus aromatica

Shining Sumac – Rhus copallina var. latifolia

References:
1. Susan Carol Hauser, A Field Guide to Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac: Prevention and Remedies
2. NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees

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