Rhus
Rhus
Rhus (pronounced /rʌs/) is a genus of about 35 species of deciduous shrubs and trees in the family Anacardiaceae, native to warm temperate and subtropical regions worldwide.
Etymology
The name Rhus is derived from the Ancient Greek word for "red", referring to the vivid autumn foliage of some species.
Description
Rhus species are generally small to medium-sized trees and shrubs. The leaves are usually pinnately compound, though some species have trifoliate or simple leaves. The flowers are small, with five greenish-white to pink or red petals. The fruit is a small drupe with one seed.
Species
Some of the most well-known species of Rhus include:
- Rhus typhina, also known as staghorn sumac
- Rhus glabra, also known as smooth sumac
- Rhus copallinum, also known as winged sumac
- Rhus vernix, also known as poison sumac
Uses
Rhus species have a variety of uses. Some species, such as Rhus coriaria, are used as culinary herbs. Others, such as Rhus verniciflua, are used to produce lacquer. However, some species, such as Rhus radicans (poison ivy) and Rhus vernix (poison sumac), can cause severe allergic reactions.
Related Terms
- Anacardiaceae: The family to which Rhus belongs.
- Drupe: A type of fruit produced by Rhus and other plants.
- Pinnate: A term describing the arrangement of leaves in many Rhus species.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rhus
- Wikipedia's article - Rhus
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