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61. Poison Sumac 



Rhus striata 



POISON 



Contact with the leaves or sap of the poison sumac causes 

 blistering and swelling that may persist for weeks. This plant 

 belongs to the same family as the poison oak and poison ivy of 

 the United States, and is closely related to the species of poison 

 sumac found growing in the swamps of the United States. This 

 plant grows on exposed dry hills at rather high altitudes in 

 southern Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Colombia. It 

 is a shrub or small tree with bright red young leaves and small 

 white flowers. It is called amche and palo de compadre in 

 Guatemala and hinchador in Costa Rica. 



