ANACARDIACEAE

SUMAC or CASHEW FAMILY

Dieter H. Wilken

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.

MALOSMA

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Latin: from odor which resembles that of an apple)
Reference: [Brizicky 1963 J Arnold Arbor 44:60–80]

Native

M. laurina (Nutt.) Abrams

LAUREL SUMAC

Shrub, small tree, 2–6 m; flowers bisexual or unisexual
Leaf simple, evergreen; petiole 10–40 mm; blade 3–10 cm, 2–4.5 cm wide, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, ± leathery, ± folded along midrib, tip abruptly pointed, margin entire
Inflorescence: branches slender in bud; bractlets < 1.5 mm
Flower: sepals green, margins entire; petals generally white
Fruit 2–3 mm diam, glabrous, ± white
Ecology: Slopes, canyons, chaparral
Elevation: < 1000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Southwestern California
Distribution outside California: Baja California
Synonyms: Rhus l. Nutt
Horticultural information: DRN, DRY: 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.