Rhus Toxicodendron 
or Poison ivy 
Native of North America and Japan. 
Nat. Order : ANACARDIACEA, Tribe: ANACARDIES. 
Rhus Toxicodendron, Linnzus, “ Sp. Plant,” i. 266 (1753); Loudon, 
“ Arb, et Frut. Brit.” ii. 556 (1838). 
A very beautiful climbing plant, rather like Asfelopsis 
tricuspidata, but smaller and more delicate in the foliage, which 
turns to a reddish-yellow in the autumn. Professor Sargent 
says, ‘‘ It is one of the common plants in all the central parts 
of Hondo and Yezo, where it grows to its largest size and 
climbs into the tops of the tallest trees.” From my experi- 
ence it is so exceedingly dangerous and poisonous that I 
doubt whether it should be allowed in any garden, at least 
where ladies and children can have access to it. After 
touching the leaves, in a short time the victim becomes aware 
of an irritation in the eyelids, which rapidly increases until it 
is almost intolerable; they become so swollen that they are 
almost closed, the rest of the face becomes gradually involved, 
the eruption and swelling always moving from the forehead 
downwards. Blisters form upon the surface and weep 
copiously like those of eczema; the glands of the neck become 
enlarged, and there is much difficulty in eating or even 
speaking. Last autumn we had the usual harvest service in 
the church here, and the ladies and children helped to decorate 
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