Bot. [mod.L. (Tournefort, 1700, in sense a), f. Gr. τοξικόν (see TOXICUM) + δένδρον tree.]
a. A former genus, now reckoned as a species of Rhus or sumac (R. Toxicodendron), a N. American shrub, also called poison-ivy (see POISON sb. 5 b). b. A synonym of Hyænanche, a S. African genus of euphorbiaceous trees or shrubs with poisonous fruit, used for killing noxious animals, whence the local names Wolveboon (i.e., Wolf’s-bane) and Hyena-poison.
1721. W. Sherard, in Phil. Trans., XXXI. 147. The Poyson-Tree…. Tis a species of Toxicodendron, tho’ not nam’d by Dr. Tournefort in his Institutions.
1755. Gentl. Mag., Sept. 395/1. Experiments made on staining of linen with the juice of Toxicodendron.
1758. Ellis, in Phil. Trans., L. 445. He still insists on it, that these two Toxicodendrons are the same.
1801. Mason, Suppl. to Johnson, Toxicodendron, a North-American plant.
1888. Nicholson’s Dict. Gard., IV. 63. Toxicodendron Syn. Hyænanche.
Hence Toxicodendric a., Chem. applied to an acid derived from Rhus Toxicodendron and other species, subsequently found to be identical with acetic acid; Toxicodendrol [-OL 3], Chem. a non-volatile oil constituting the poisonous principle of Rhus Toxicodendron and other species.
1865. J. M. Maisch, in Proc. Amer. Pharm. Assoc., 172. A new organic acid, for which I propose the name of Toxicodendric acid.
1876. Duhring, Dis. Skin, 325. The poison is an exceedingly volatile acid,—toxicodendric acid.
1898. U.S. Dept. Agric., Bot., Bulletin No. 20. 37. The poison is in reality a non-volatile oil. In January, 1895. Dr. Franz Pfaff … announced this discovery. The oil has since been purified and named toxicodendrol.
