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Glite Dictionary
poison mercury

poison mercury

9.9
A climbing plant with three joined leaves and white berries that makes a skin rash when you touch it
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : mercurio venenoso
  • The white berries of poison mercury are attractive but should never be touched.

Examples

  • Many hikers developed a rash after brushing against poison mercury in the woods.

  • Learning to identify poison mercury is essential for anyone spending time outdoors in the region.

  • The poison mercury plant can be found in many gardens.

  • Be careful around poison mercury because it can cause skin rashes.

  • Learning to identify poison mercury is essential for anyone spending time outdoors in the region.

  • Many hikers developed a rash after brushing against poison mercury in the woods.

  • Be careful around poison mercury because it can cause skin rashes.

Synonyms

poison ivy
vspoison mercury
  • US
9 4.2

A climbing plant with three leaflets and white berries that causes an itchy rash when touched

is an alternative common term but otherwise refers to the same plant
markweed
vspoison mercury
  • US
9.9

A climbing plant with three-part leaves and white berries that can cause an itchy rash

is the same plant but under a different common name
Rhus radicans
vspoison mercury
  • Specialized
9.9

A climbing plant with three-part leaves and white berries that makes an oil causing skin rashes when touched

is the common or other name rather than the scientific label
Toxicodendron radicans
vspoison mercury
  • Specialized
9.9

A climbing or spreading North American plant with three-part leaves that makes an oil causing a skin rash when touched

is the more familiar or common name rather than the scientific term

How Irritating

poison mercury
  • US
9.9
irritant
15 6.0

Surface Forms

poison mercury singular
poison mercuries plural

Morphology

poison + mercury

This is a lexicalized botanical name: knowing 'poison' (a harmful substance) and 'mercury' (the toxic metal or element) does not allow a learner to infer a climbing plant with three-part leaves and white berries. A B1 learner is more likely to interpret the phrase as 'poisonous mercury' or something chemical rather than a plant species, so the meaning is not derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

The plant poison mercury may get its name from its oily juice that can poison the skin and from older plant names that used mercury for shiny white berries. So the name warns you it can cause a 'rash' if you touch it.