Dermatitis-producing Anacardiaceae of the Caribbean area

摘要: Abstract Although the Caribbean Islands and Central America form a transitional geographic bridge between North South America, distribution of members Anacardiaceae (poison ivy family) these two continents is abrupt. Florida extreme northwestern Bahamas mark southernmost limit subspecies poison that extends along whole eastern seaboard to Nova Scotia. Two three Mexico have their northern in Mexican border counties Texas Arizona, third entirely selfcontained. Western oak Pacific United States northward into British Columbia has, as its limit, north Baja California, where it sparse. Of other genera dermatitis-producing one, Metopium , represented by single species south Florida. The two, Comocladia Pseudosmodingium do not extend either or America. From American Anacardiaceae, only are indigenous southern portion America: small trees, Toxicodendron striatum Mauria . remainder this latter genus restricted Andes. Both will be discussed greater detail chapter 21. Three associated with dermatitis been introduced and, some areas, escaped from cultivation established regional flora. Schinus terebinthifolius was an ornamental cashew, Anacardium occidentale for edible nut. mango, Mangifera indica Indo-Asia, grown tropical areas world-wide fruit. mango cashew belong botanic tribe Mangifereae exhibit important distinctions Rhoideae, which all assigned. 1 Other than synopsis given Mitchell Rook, 2 there no comprehensive reviews dermatologic aspects area. Since floristic accounts scattered through number publications, unusual amount space review devoted referenced descriptions growing local terminology. Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras subjects recent floras. Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles currently undergoing revision floras, but task partially completed. listing should considered incomplete. In islands Antilles, expected plants missing result past agricultural practice. This particularly notable island Dominica. There few medical reports plant Caribbean. Except species, we must depend mostly upon comments botanists annotations on herbarium specimens Chemical studies sensitizers, except economically nonexistent. Even simple tests determine cross-sensitization seem conducted. All following discussion assumed produce delayed contact sensitivity analaogous oak.