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PLEASE NOTE:
"Poisonous" does not mean deadly. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard.

Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions

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BRIEF: Do you have any information on Poison wood?


QUESTION:
Can you help me find information regarding Poison wood, symptoms of it and contact for treatment.

ANSWER:
Metopium toxiferum (Poison wood) in in the smae family as poison sumac, poison ivy, cashew and mango. It causes the same type of delayed hypersensitivity contact dermatitis as posion ivy with a toxicant displaying similar properties to the urushiol found in poison oak/ivy/sumac. The leaves are more like posion sumac, but shinier and the fruit is larger. Please see page 109 in Poisonous plants of Eastern North america by Westbrooks and Preacher.