description Skunkbush is a member of the cashew family (family Anacardiaceae) which includes trees, shrubs, and few woody vines with resinous sap often in bark and other parts; in a few species the resin or volatile oil is caustic and poisonous to the skin. About 600 species in tropical and north temperate regions; 15 native and 3 naturalized tree, 6 native shrub, and 1 woody vine species in North America.
Leaves: alternate; pinnately compound, with 3 leaflets, or simple; without stipules.
Flowers: tiny or small; commonly white; many in large branched clusters; bisexual or male and female; mostly regular, with 3-5 sepals united at base and 3-5 petals (or no petals); generally 10 stamens around a disk, and 1 pistil with superior 1-celled (to 5-celled) ovary, 1 style, and 3 stigmas.
Fruit: usually a 1-seeded resinous drupe.

This material provided by eNature.com.

Get a ZipGuide to the plants and animals of your area!

all species dangerous		your e-mail zip code
send me eNature newsletters & special offers