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AMERICAN MUSEUM GUIDE LEAFLETS 





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FIG. 73. . AILANTHUS. OR TREE 

 OF HEAVEN 



Large heart-shaped leaf 

 scars; buds small, two-scaled 



of the buds and by the absence of the 

 downy ridge above the leaf scar (Fig. 7(1). 



2. Scarlet or Smooth Sumach (Rhus glabra 

 L.) has light-colored, smooth stems which are 

 straight and stiff, tapering to a more slender 

 dead end (killed by the frost, or perhaps the 

 remains of the fruit cluster). The buds arc 

 small and project from the centers of the leaf 

 scars, being like those of locusts and button- 

 woods in this respect. 



Sumach of any variety can be recognized 

 in winter by its spreading shape and curious 

 tapering twigs with dead ends. The age of 

 a sumach can be readily told at considerable 

 distance by the curious method of branching 

 from the one to four strongest buds (Fig. 72). 

 The smooth sumach and the staghorn sumach 

 [Rims- liirhi Sudw.) carry pyramids of scarlet 

 fruit throughout the winter, furnishing food 

 for crows and other birds. The staghorn 

 sumach can be distinguished from the smooth 

 sumach by the dark velvet covering on its stems. 



3. Poiscn Sumach (Rhus vernix L.). The 

 grayish brown twigs of the poison sumach 

 have extremely small buds above large reddish 

 brown leaf scars that are conspicuously hol- 

 lowed out. This sumach grows in wet place-, 

 and lia^ hanging, loose clusters of white berries, 

 which adhere through the winter. This is the 

 most venomous poison among our woody 

 plants. 



Poison "Ivy'' „:• I'oi.on "Oak" (Rhus 

 toxicodendron L.) is a sumach of vine 

 habit, either climbing fence posts, trees 

 and the like (Rhus radicans), or trailing 

 over the ground in a dense carpet (Rhus 

 microcarpa) . 



4. Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus 

 glandidosa Desf.). The coarse and sturdy- 

 looking but brittle ailanthus twigs (Fig. 73) 

 have very light bark and conspicuous white 



