80 



62. Guao 



Comocladia 

 POISON 



The sap of some species of this plant causes blistering and 

 prolonged inflammation of the skin similar to that caused by 

 poison ivy. Numerous varieties grow in Mexico, Guatemala 

 and the West Indies. On the mainland, they are not found 

 below Guatemala. These bushy or small trees have long leaf 

 stems but only a few or no branches. The leaves (which are 

 often very spiny), are clustered at the ends of the branches, and 

 the flowers are small and greenish. Alternate names are maiz, 

 pelado (Puerto Rico); chinil, solimdn (Guatemala); hincha- 

 huevos (Mexico). 



