Low evergreen shrubs, with the linear leaves completely rolled into a tube, and inconspicuous flowers without petals, in the axils of the leaves. One species in Michigan, 1-3 dm. high; leaves less than 1 cm. long; flowers in summer =Crowberry, Empetrum nigrum.= LIMNANTHACEAE, the False Mermaid Family Low herbs with alternate compound leaves and minute axillary flowers; sepals 3, petals 3, stamens 6. One species in Michigan, with stems 1-3 dm. long, and flowers in late spring =False Mermaid, Floerkea proserpinacoides.= ANACARDIACEAE, the Cashew Family Shrubs or small trees, with milky or resinous juice, alternate compound leaves sometimes poisonous to the touch, and small clustered greenish or yellowish flowers. 1a. Leaflets 7 to many (1-5 m. high) (Sumach) --2. 1b. Leaflets 3-5. 2a. Axis of the leaves wing-margined between the leaflets =Sumach, Rhus copallina.= 2b. Axis of the leaves not margined --3. 3a. Leaflets entire =Poison Sumach, Rhus vernix.= 3b. Leaflets serrate --4. 4a. Bark of the older stems glabrous =Sumach, Rhus glabra.= 4b. Bark of the older stems densely velvety-hairy =Sumach, Rhus typhina.= 5a. Terminal leaflet narrowed to a sessile base (5-20 dm. high) =Sumach, Rhus canadensis.= 5b. Terminal leaflet on a definite stalk, round or acute at base (3-8 dm. high, or climbing by hold-fast roots) =Poison Ivy, Rhus toxicodendron.= AQUIFOLIACEAE, the Holly Family Shrubs, with alternate simple leaves and small white or greenish axillary flowers in late spring and early summer; sepals, petals, and stamens each 4-6; fruit a berry. 1a. Leaves entire or nearly so, 1-3 cm. long (1-2 m. tall) =Mountain Holly, Nemopanthus mucronata.= 1b. Leaves sharply serrate, 5-8 cm. long (2-5 m. high) (Black Alder) --2. 2a. Leaves downy on the veins beneath; fruit red =Black Alder, Ilex verticillata.= 2b. Leaves nearly or quite glabrous; fruit orange =Black Alder, Ilex verticillata var. tenuifolia.= CELASTRACEAE, the Staff Tree Family Shrubs with simple leaves and inconspicuous flowers; sepals and petals each 4 or 5, the stamens of the same number and attached to a disk which fills the center of the flower; fruit showy, orange and red. 1a. Leaves alternate (climbing vine; flowers in racemes; late spring) =Bitter-sweet, Celastrus scandens.= 1b. Leaves opposite (flowers in axillary clusters) --2. 2a. Prostrate, with short erect branches; leaves broadest above the middle (spring) =Creeping Wahoo, Evonymus obovatus.=