Webinar: Poisonous Anacardiaceae: Poison Ivy and Beyond

The cashew family, Anacardiaceae, includes a number of economically important plants and many notoriously poisonous species. From poison ivy to cashew and poisonwood, we will explore the diversity of the family and learn more about its toxic members, which are distributed across approximately 33 genera. Detailed information about poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and the contact dermatitis it causes will be presented. The economic and ecological importance of these toxic taxa will also be discussed.

Presenter Bio

Dr. Susan Pell is the Deputy Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG). She holds a BS in biology from St. Andrews University in North Carolina and a PhD in plant biology from Louisiana State University where her dissertation focused on molecular systematics of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Dr. Pell has spent her career at botanic gardens as a botanist, educator, and leader, and has traveled the world to collect plants for floristics and evolution research projects. She has held positions at The New York Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and moved to Washington, D.C. in 2013 for an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowship at the National Science Foundation. In her current role, Dr. Pell oversees the USBG’s programs in science, education, horticulture, and operations. While remaining an active scientist, she is dedicated to helping the Garden achieve its mission of demonstrating the beauty and importance of plants to the wellbeing of humankind and the environment, and to diversifying the collections, offerings, and visitorship of the Garden.

Continuing Education Credits are being sought for this program.