The small Japanese lacquer-tree, although uncommon in the United States,
is an introduced species of sumac (_Rhus verniciflua_) that is quite
similar to the native poison sumac. It is native to Japan and China and
is the source of Japanese black lacquer. Cases of poisoning hare been
traced to contact with lacquered articles. Because of its poisonous
properties, this tree should never be planted.
A native shrub or small tree called poison-wood, doctor gum, or coral
sumac is commonly found in the pinelands and hummocks of extreme southern
Florida, the Keys, and the West Indies. It is much like the poison sumac
and closely related to it. Most botanists name it _Metopium toxiferum_,
although previously it was named _Rhus metopium_, and sometimes metopium
is used as its common name. The small tree, or shrub, has the same
general appearance as poison sumac. The leaves have the same general
appearance, except that there are usually only three to seven leaflets,
which are more rounded. The fruits are borne in clusters in the same
manner as those of poison sumac (fig. 22), but individual fruits are
two or three times as large and orange-colored. All parts of the plant
are exceedingly poisonous to the touch and cause the same kind of skin
irritation as poison-ivy or poison sumac.