Dirca
Encyclopedia
Dirca is a genus of three or four species of flowering plant
s in the family Thymelaeaceae
, native to North America
. The genus is named after Dirce
in Greek mythology
. The general common name for this deciduous shrub is leatherwood; others include moosewood, ropebark and Powhatan
-derived wicopy. The stems of Dirca are exceptionally pliable and the bark is difficult to tear by hand; for this reason, its stems were used by Native Americans in eastern North America as thongs or ropes. Members of the genus can grow to a maximum height of about three meters, and are often associated with rich, moist woods or slopes above creeks or streams.
D. palustris
is a widespread species that grows in scattered populations throughout eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to North Dakota and Oklahoma, and south to Florida. D. occidentalis
grows in a several counties in the San Francisco Bay area
of California
. D. mexicana was described in 1995 from one population in northeastern Mexico
. In 2008, a fourth species, D. decipiens, was described from several populations in Kansas and Arkansas, at the southwestern limits of the range of D. palustris.
Dirca palustris is occasionally cultivated, although its slow growth seems to prevent its widespread use in horticulture. The shrub is often difficult to recognize because the flowers are small (less than one cm), displayed for only a short period in the early spring, and may be a nondescript greenish-yellow. In the central part of its range, "D. palustris" is often found growing with the much more frequent Spicebush, which also has small yellow flowers that appear before the leaves at a similar time.
Although it is listed as poisonous in some publications because its stems and leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals, its toxicity is uncertain and may be low. Likewise, the berries may have narcotic
properties, although this claim remains unsubstantiated.
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
s in the family Thymelaeaceae
Thymelaeaceae
Thymelaeaceae is a cosmopolitan family of flowering plants composed of 50 genera and 898 species. It was established in 1789 by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu.Thymelaeaceae is in the order Malvales...
, native to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The genus is named after Dirce
Dirce
Dirce was the wife of Lycus in Greek mythology, and aunt to Antiope whom Zeus impregnated. Antiope fled in shame to King Epopeus of Sicyon, but was brought back by Lycus through force, giving birth to the twins Amphion and Zethus on the way...
in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
. The general common name for this deciduous shrub is leatherwood; others include moosewood, ropebark and Powhatan
Powhatan language
Powhatan or Virginia Algonquian is an extinct language belonging to the Eastern Algonquian subgroup of the Algonquian languages. It was spoken by the Powhatan people of tidewater Virginia. It became extinct around the 1790s after speakers switched to English. The sole documentary evidence for this...
-derived wicopy. The stems of Dirca are exceptionally pliable and the bark is difficult to tear by hand; for this reason, its stems were used by Native Americans in eastern North America as thongs or ropes. Members of the genus can grow to a maximum height of about three meters, and are often associated with rich, moist woods or slopes above creeks or streams.
D. palustris
Dirca palustris
Dirca palustris, or Eastern Leatherwood, is a shrub that grows to a maximum height of about three meters. It is native to the eastern half of North America but uncommon, found in rich woods, and is occasionally cultivated. The species name, "palustris", means "of the swamps"...
is a widespread species that grows in scattered populations throughout eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to North Dakota and Oklahoma, and south to Florida. D. occidentalis
Dirca occidentalis
Dirca occidentalis, or Western Leatherwood, is a deciduous shrub with leaves 3 to 7 centimeters in length. Yellow flowers emerge prior to leafing. It grows on moist and shaded slopes. It is rare and endemic to the San Francisco Bay area of California...
grows in a several counties in the San Francisco Bay area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. D. mexicana was described in 1995 from one population in northeastern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. In 2008, a fourth species, D. decipiens, was described from several populations in Kansas and Arkansas, at the southwestern limits of the range of D. palustris.
Dirca palustris is occasionally cultivated, although its slow growth seems to prevent its widespread use in horticulture. The shrub is often difficult to recognize because the flowers are small (less than one cm), displayed for only a short period in the early spring, and may be a nondescript greenish-yellow. In the central part of its range, "D. palustris" is often found growing with the much more frequent Spicebush, which also has small yellow flowers that appear before the leaves at a similar time.
Although it is listed as poisonous in some publications because its stems and leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals, its toxicity is uncertain and may be low. Likewise, the berries may have narcotic
Narcotic
The term narcotic originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with any sleep-inducing properties. In the United States of America it has since become associated with opioids, commonly morphine and heroin and their derivatives, such as hydrocodone. The term is, today, imprecisely...
properties, although this claim remains unsubstantiated.