80 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



Obs. This was formerly supposed to be identical with the oriental 

 species which yields the Japan Varnish. It is a shrub to be carefully 

 extirpated from the farm ; as it is not only worthless, but exceedingly 

 poisonous to many persons, if they come in contact with it — or even get 

 unawares in its immediate vicinity. 



** Leaves trifoliolate. 



§. Toxicoden'dron, L. Stem erect, decumbent, or climbing by 

 rootlets ; leaflets in threes, obliquely ovate or rhomboid, acuminate ; 

 fruit glabrous. 



PoisoN-TREE Rhus. Poison-vine. Poison-oak. Poison-ivy. 



Not lactescent. In the erect variety, stem 2 - 5 or 6 feet high ; Tmjlets larger (4 - 6 or 8 inches 

 long), variously or coarsely toothed or lobed ; in the more common climMng variety, stem 

 8 or 10-30 or 40 feet long, branching, climbing and closely adhering to trees and other 

 objects by means of numerous rootlets ; leaflets smaller and more commonly entire than 

 in the other variety : thin or somewhat membranaceous in both. Flowers yellowish-green. 



Fig. 60. Poison Ivy (Rus Toxicodendron), reduced. 



