| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Shrub, tree, generally dioecious or flowers bisexual and unisexual, ± resinous, sometimes milky, generally aromatic
Leaves simple or compound, alternate, deciduous or evergreen; stipules 0
Inflorescence: raceme or panicle; flowers generally many
Flower generally unisexual, radial; sepals 5, base generally ± fused; petals 5, generally > sepals, free; stamens 5 or 10, reduced and sterile in pistillate flowers; ovary superior, vestigial or 0 in staminate flowers, subtended by ± lobed, disk-like nectary, chamber generally 1, ovule generally 1, styles 1–3
Fruit drupe-like, glabrous, sticky, or short-hairy; pulp ± resinous, sometimes aromatic
Genera in family: 70+ genera, ± 850 species: tropical, warm temp; some ornamental (Rhus, Schinus ), some cultivated for fruit (Anacardium , cashew; Mangifera , mango)
Reference: [Brizicky 1962 J Arnold Arbor 43:359–375]
TOXIC: many genera produce contact dermatitis .
Shrub, tree, vine, generally dioecious
Leaves generally ternate or pinnately compound, ± resinous; leaflets 3–9, lateral generally opposite, thin to ± leathery, entire, toothed, or lobed
Inflorescence: raceme or panicle, axillary, ± open; flowers pedicelled
Flower: stamens 5, sterile or reduced in pistillate flowers; styles ± fused, stigmas 3
Fruit generally spheric, becoming papery or leathery, cream to brown; pulp resinous
Species in genus: 6 species: Am, eastern Asia
Etymology: (Latin: poisonous tree)
Reference: [Gillis 1971 Rhodora 73:161–237,370–443]
TOXIC: resin on leaves, stems, fruits causes severe contact dermatitis; one of the most hazardous plants in CA .
| Native |
Shrub (sometimes tree-like) 0.5–4 m or vine < 25 m
Stem: twigs glabrous to sparsely hairy, gray- to red-brown
Leaf: petiole 1–10 cm; leaflets generally 3(5), ± round to oblong, thin to ± leathery, becoming bright red in autumn, base truncate to rounded, tip obtuse to rounded, margin entire, wavy, or slightly lobed, upper surface glabrous, ± shiny, lower sparsely short-hairy; terminal leaflet 1–13 cm, 1–8 cm wide; lateral leaflets 1–7 cm, 1–6 cm wide
Inflorescence drooping, spreading, or erect; pedicels 2–8 mm; bractlets < 1 mm
Flower: sepals, petals generally ovate, yellow-green
Fruit 1.5–6 mm diam, spheric to slightly compressed, becoming leathery, glabrous to finely bristly, creamy white; pulp white, black-striate
Chromosomes: 2n=30
Ecology: Canyons, slopes, chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: < 1650 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province, sw edge Mojave Desert
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, Baja California
Flowering time: Apr–May
Synonyms: Rhus d. Torr. & A. Gray