Definition

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

Usage Notes

• This is the scientific or botanical name for the plant commonly known as poison sumac.
• It is used primarily in formal, academic, or scientific contexts (e.g., botany, ecology, dermatology).
• In everyday conversation, the common name "poison sumac" is almost always used instead.

Examples

• Scientific Context: " is a member of the Anacardiaceae family, which also includes poison ivy and poison oak."
• Identification: "The botanist identified the toxic shrub in the wetland as ."
• Medical Context: "Contact with causes a more severe allergic reaction than its relatives."

Advanced Usage

• The genus name is sometimes reclassified under the genus , so you may encounter the synonym Toxicodendron vernix in some scientific literature.

Variants and Related Words

• Poison sumac (n): The standard common name for .
• Swamp sumac (n): Another less common name for the same plant.
• Poison ivy () (n): A related plant causing similar skin irritation.
• Poison oak () (n): A related plant causing similar skin irritation.

Synonyms

• Poison sumac
• (scientific synonym)

Important Note

There are no idioms or phrasal verbs associated with this specific botanical Latin name. Its usage is strictly technical.

Noun

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