TOXICODENDRON Meaning and
Definition
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Toxicodendron is a botanical term referring to a genus of flowering plants within the family Anacardiaceae, which includes various species commonly known as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. This genus is widely distributed across North America, Asia, and Africa. Toxicodendron plants are renowned for their potent allergenic, irritating, and toxic attributes.
The plants of the Toxicodendron genus are typically small, deciduous shrubs, vines, or climbing plants. They possess compound leaves that are divided into three leaflets, although some species may have more. These plants are known for their ability to produce and emit a resinous substance called urushiol, which is responsible for triggering allergic reactions in humans.
Contact with Toxicodendron plants can cause dermatitis or skin rashes characterized by reddening, itching, and blistering. Direct contact with the urushiol oil can lead to its rapid absorption into the skin, resulting in the onset of these symptoms. Inhalation of smoke from burning plants can also provoke respiratory distress. It is crucial to identify and avoid contact with these plants, as prolonged exposure can exacerbate allergic reactions or elicit dangerous systemic responses in susceptible individuals.
Due to the possible health risks associated with exposure to Toxicodendron plants, it is highly recommended to use protective measures such as wearing gloves, long sleeves, and pants when handling them. Effective management techniques include removal or elimination of these plants from outdoor areas or the use of barrier creams containing bentoquatam to minimize the absorption of urushiol.
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Poison ivy, Rhus toxicodendron.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TOXICODENDRON
- roxicodendron
- foxicodendron
- goxicodendron
- yoxicodendron
- 6oxicodendron
- 5oxicodendron
- tixicodendron
- tkxicodendron
- tlxicodendron
- tpxicodendron
- t0xicodendron
- t9xicodendron
- tozicodendron
- tocicodendron
- todicodendron
- tosicodendron
- toxucodendron
- toxjcodendron
- toxkcodendron
Etymology of TOXICODENDRON
The word "toxicodendron" is derived from the Greek words "toxikon" meaning "poison" and "dendron" meaning "tree". The term was first used by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century to describe a genus of plants that includes poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
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