Also known as the cashew or sumac family, the Anacardiaceae encompass a spectacular variety of well-known members including mangoes, cashews, pistachios, poison ivy, poison oak, and the Californian pepper tree, Schinus molle, seen above. This particular pepper tree, alive and well despite its prostrate position, is possibly the largest I have ever encountered. Appropriately it is found at the Pepper Tree Retreat in Ojai, CA (formerly the home of philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti).
My first experience of the Anacardiaceae family was very direct, in the form of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) blisters. Later, on the west coast, I learned that the effects of poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) are very similar.
It is always interesting to me when the same family includes delicious foods AND toxic substances. There are other good examples of that coming up. Meanwhile, the next time you get poison ivy blisters, remember that its cousin is a sweet mango.
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