Anacardiaceae FAMILY

Toxicodendron diversilobum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

All parts of the plant are known to contain resinous phenolic compounds known as urushiols that can cause severe skin problems in humans. Direct contacr with the plant, exposure to smoke or fumes from a burning plant or even contact with pets, animals or clothing that have touched the plant can cause severe allergic dermatitis in some individuals. There is usually a latent period of about 12 - 24 hours from the moment of contact, this is followed by a reddening and severe blistering of the skin. Even plant specimens 100 or more years old have been known to cause problems[ 274 Title Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Publication Author Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Website http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm Publisher Botanical Research Institute, Texas. Year 1999 ISBN 1-889878-01-4 Description An excellent flora, which is also available on-line. ]. The plant does not cause skin problems with wildlife or livestock - the foliage and fruits are eaten by several other species of animals and birds - though some pets are sensitive to it[ 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ].

Botanical Description

Toxicodendron diversilobum is a many-stemmed, deciduous shrub that can adopt a climbing habit. Shrubby forms have erect stems usually 1 - 2 metres tall, whilst climbing forms typically have stems 3 - 10 metres long, exceptionally up to 30 metres. As a climbier, the plant supports itself amongst other vegetation by means of adventitious roots and/or wedging stems within grooves or crevices of the support. The plant spreads at the roots by means of rhizomes and can form thickets[ 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeWestern N. America - British Colombia, Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada

HabitatMixed evergreen forests, coastal sage scrub, thickets and wooded slopes in foothills, along streams, in washes and hedgerows; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[ 71 Title A California Flora. Publication Author Munz P.A. & Keck D.D. Publisher University of California Press; Los Angeles Year 1959 ISBN - Description An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader. , 92 Title Early Uses of Californian Plants. Publication Author Balls. E. K. Publisher University of California Press Year 1975 ISBN 0-520-00072-2 Description A nice readable book. , 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ].