lis ANACAEDIACE.E. 



an odd terminal one, lanceolate-obloug, pointed, serrate, smooth and glau- 

 cous above, whitish beneath. The flowers appear in June ; the fruit ripens 

 in September. 



Habitat. — In dry, rocky, and rather barren places throughout the United 

 States and Canada. 



Rhus typhina Linne. — Staghorn Sumac. 



Description. — A large shrub or small tree, 10 to 30 feet high, the young 

 branches as well as the leaf- and flower-stalks densely coated with soft vel- 

 vety hairs. Leaflets in 5 to 15 pairs, with an odd terminal one, oblong- 

 lanceolate, pointed, serrate. The flowers appear in June ; the fruit ripens 

 in SeiDtembei'. Much more I'obust than the preceding sj)ecies. The pith, 

 though large in the young branches, is surrounded in later years by a thick 

 layer of rather dense yellow wood. 



Habitat.- — ^In rich uplands, United States and Canada. 



Rhus copallina Linne. — Dwarf Sumac. 



Description. — A small shrub, 1 to 7 feet high, with straggling branches 

 and running roots. Branches and stalks downy. Petioles wing-mar- 

 gined ; leaflets in 4 to 10 paii'S, with an odd terminal one, oblong or ovate- 

 lanceolate, oblique, smooth and shining above, pubescent beneath. 



Habitat. — In barren and rocky situations. United States and Canada. 



Parts Used. — Of Khus glabra, the fruit — United States Pharmacop)oeia. 

 The fruit of both R. typhina and R. copallina is possessed of properties 

 identical with those of the official plant, and may be substituted as occa- 

 sion requires. The leaves and bark of all the species have been employed 

 but are not official. 



Constituents. — Sumac berries, as they are called, have a pleasant acid, 

 astringent taste, due to the jDresence of malic acid in the dense ciimson 

 pubescence which covers them. This acid is present both in a free state 

 and in combination as malate of calcium, and is associated with tannic and 

 gallic acids, coloring matter, etc. 



Sumac leaves are comparatively rich in tannic and gallic acids, so much 

 so, indeed, as to be of economic importance in the tanning of leather. 

 Excrescences, or galls, are produced upon them which are said to be hardly 

 inferior to the galls of commerce. The bark is also possessed of astringent 

 l^roperties, but to a more limited extent than the leaves. 



Prep)arations. — Extractum rhois glabrae fluidum — fluid extract of rhus 

 glabra. — United States Pharmacopceia. Of the other species there are no 

 official preparations. The berries of all the species are frequently em- 

 ployed in infusion, and when they can be obtained in good condition this 

 form is undoubtedly the most eligible one to use, either topically or inter- 

 nally^. The leaves may be employed in infusion or decoction. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Sumac berries are astringent and refrig- 

 erant. An infusion has long been used in domestic practice, internally 

 for refrigerant effect in febrile and inflammatory afl:ections, and topically 



