RHUS TOXICODENDRON Meaning and
Definition
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Rhus toxicodendron, commonly known as poison ivy, is a deciduous flowering plant that belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. It is native to North America and can be found in various habitats, including forests, fields, and along roadways. Poison ivy is known for its potent urushiol oil, which can cause an allergic reaction on contact with the skin.
The plant typically grows as a woody vine or shrub and can reach heights of up to 1.2 meters. It has compound leaves with three leaflets that are glossy and green during the summer but turn vibrant shades of red, orange, or yellow in the fall. Poison ivy produces small, greenish-white flowers, which give way to small, berry-like fruits that are pale green or white.
Due to the presence of urushiol in its sap and leaves, Rhus toxicodendron is highly allergenic and can cause a skin rash known as contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. The rash is characterized by redness, itching, and the formation of fluid-filled blisters. It is important to avoid direct contact with the plant and to take precautionary measures such as wearing protective clothing and washing exposed skin thoroughly after possible exposure.
In some traditional medicinal practices, Rhus toxicodendron has been used for its potential therapeutic properties. However, its use should be approached with caution and under professional guidance, as ingestion or improper use may lead to severe health complications.
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Poison oak, poison ivy, climbing sumach, picry, the leaflets of Rhus radicans; a volatile acid contained in the leaves of this plant causes in susceptible individuals a violent dermatitis; it is employed in eclectic practice in the exanthemata and erysipelas; in homeopathy for erysipelas, eczema, sprains, lumbago, and rheumatism in the 6th to 30th potency.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for RHUS TOXICODENDRON
- ehus toxicodendron
- dhus toxicodendron
- fhus toxicodendron
- thus toxicodendron
- 5hus toxicodendron
- 4hus toxicodendron
- rgus toxicodendron
- rbus toxicodendron
- rnus toxicodendron
- rjus toxicodendron
- ruus toxicodendron
- ryus toxicodendron
- rhys toxicodendron
- rhhs toxicodendron
- rhjs toxicodendron
- rhis toxicodendron
- rh8s toxicodendron
- rh7s toxicodendron
- rhua toxicodendron
- rhuz toxicodendron
Etymology of RHUS TOXICODENDRON
The word "Rhus toxicodendron" is derived from Latin and Greek origins.
The word "Rhus" is derived from the Greek word "rhous", which refers to a type of shrub or tree. In Greek mythology, Rhus is also the name of a minor deity associated with plants.
The term "toxicodendron" is a combination of two Latin words. "Toxico" is derived from the Latin word "toxicum", which means "poison". "Dendron" is derived from the Greek word "dendron", which means "tree". So, "toxicodendron" can be translated as "poisonous tree".
Therefore, "Rhus toxicodendron" can be translated as "poisonous tree of the genus Rhus". This term is commonly used to refer to a species of plant commonly known as poison ivy.
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