128 



Descriptive Flora 



in long bunches from stems that come out of the axils of the leaf 

 stems. Sap that comes from any wound is milky white, turns 

 black when exposed to the air, and can be made into a glossy 

 black varnish. Plants climb anything from fences, walls and 

 cliffs to the tallest trees. 



All the parts of the plant are poisonous to some people and 

 dead leaves and stems are dangerous as well as living ones. The 

 poison has been traced to a non-volatile oil which is found in all 

 parts of the plant, and which upon contact with the skin causes 

 an inflammation followed by tiny blisters which itch and burn 

 and spread rapidly over the body when not checked. The plant 

 is most dangerous in blossoming time and some people coming 

 near the plant claim to have been poisoned by it without touch- 

 ing it* If this is true, it is due to the oil adhering to the pollen 

 that is carried by the wind. 



The water from the blisters is equally poisonous and causes 

 a similar irritation. When exposed, wash the hands as soon as 

 possible in the nearest creek, ditch or pond. If soap and water 

 are to be had, make a good lather with hot w r ater as cold water 

 will not dissolve the oil. If the skin has become inflamed or 

 blistered, bathe with a small piece of cotton batting saturated 

 with grain alcohol. (Wood alcohol is poisonous to the skin.) This 

 will dry the blisters in a day or two. "Leaflets three, quickly 

 flee. Berries white, take to flight/' 



AQUIFOLIACEAE. Holly Family. 

 Ilex decidua Walt. Deciduous Holly "Redberry". 



Shrub or small tree with pale gray bark and gathered for 

 decorative purposes at Christmas time for the scarlet berries 

 that are scattered all along the branches. Leaves bright but 

 deep green, 1 to 2y 2 inches long, wedge-shaped or often elliptic, 

 finely saw-toothed. Flowers small, greenish-white, clustered in 



* This statement is contradicted by James B. McNair in his article, 

 A Study of Rhus Diversiloba with Special Reference to Its Toxicity. 

 American Journal of Botany, Vol. VIII, No. 3, March 1921. 



