Poison Sumacs 



609 



Fig. 560. — Smooth Sumac, Carnot, Pa. 



stalked, long- pointed, sharply toothed, dark green on the upper side and whitish 

 on the under. The small green flowers are in dense panicles, and open from 

 June to August, according to latitude; the flower-stalks are sometimes a httle 

 hairy. The fruit ripens late, and is covered with short reddish acid hairs. Some 

 fifteen supposed species to be included in this, have recently been described. 



II. POISON SUMACS 



GENUS TOXICODENDRON [TOURNEFORT] MILLER 



OISON sumacs include about 16 species of shrubs, vines, and trees, 

 natives of North America and Asia. They all have a poisonous sap, 

 which excites painful inflammation to most people who come in contact 

 with it, a mere touch of a leaf or twig sufficing in many instances; 

 some people are apparently immune, however. The generic name is in allusion to 



