poison dogwood

Thân thiện

The hiker carefully avoided touching the poison dogwood growing near the trail.

Definition

Noun 1. A North American swamp shrub: A smooth-barked shrub native to swampy areas of North America, characterized by compound (pinnate) leaves, clusters of greenish flowers, and greenish-white berries. It yields an irritating oil that can cause skin inflammation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • While hiking through the wetland, we were careful to avoid the poison dogwood.
  • The poison dogwood is easily identified by its distinctive leaf structure and pale berries.
  • Contact with poison dogwood can result in a severe rash.

Advanced Usage

• As a botanical hazard: The term is often used in ecological, botanical, or outdoor safety contexts to warn of a specific plant hazard, similar to "poison ivy."
  • The trail guide included a section on identifying local hazards like poison dogwood.

Variants and Related Words

• Rhus vernix (n): The scientific (Latin) name for poison dogwood.
• Poison sumac (n): The more common name for the same plant species ().
• Swamp sumac (n): Another regional name for this shrub, referencing its habitat.

Synonyms

• Poison sumac: The primary synonym.
• Toxicodendron vernix: The modern scientific synonym.

Notes on Different Meanings

• This term refers specifically to one plant species. It should not be confused with true dogwood trees or shrubs of the genus , which are generally not toxic. The "poison" modifier is critical to its meaning.

Học thuật

Noun

1. smooth American swamp shrub with pinnate leaves and greenish flowers followed by greenish white berries; yields an irritating oil

Từ đồng nghĩa

• poison ash
• poison sumac
• Toxicodendron vernix
• Rhus vernix