CASHEW FAMILY 



a few drops of sulphuric acid (handled with care) to the 

 woody stem near the roots. 



From the oil is distilled a drug, valuable in the treatment 

 of rheumatism. 



ANACARDIACE^; CASHEW FAMILY 



Rhus Vernix, L. 



Whitish-green Poison Sumach, 



Poison Elder, 



June Poison Ash, 



Poison Dogwood. 



Rhus: for derivation see copallina. 

 Vernix: from Latin for green. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: low grounds. 



THE SHRUB: six feet to fifteen feet high; the bark smooth 

 or nearly so; the inner wood soft and light-coloured. 



THE LEAVES: alternate; pinnately-compound, seven to 

 thirteen leaflets, thin, obovate, green on both surfaces, 

 acute or acuminate at the apex, on very short stems, entire. 



THE FLOWERS: in loose panicles at the angles of the leaves. 

 THE FRUIT: a berry, in slender clusters, green-grey. 



Fortunately this harmful shrub is not very common on 

 Nantucket. But as it carries a volatile oil, which is even 

 more irritating than that of Poison Ivy (Rhus Toxicodendron) 

 it should be so well known that it will always be avoided. 

 If one has been unlucky enough to have touched it, the 

 same remedies will be found efficacious that have been 

 recommended for Poison Ivy. This oil is used in the 

 treatment of rheumatism. 



The Poison Elder or Poison Dogwood is a low shrub, 

 almost tree-like. Its branches spread at right angles to 

 the trunk, so that its general appearance is flat-topped. 



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