What is dirca?

Dirca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Thymelaeaceae. It contains only two species, Dirca occidentalis and Dirca palustris, both of which are native to North America. Dirca occidentalis is known as western leatherwood, while Dirca palustris is known as eastern leatherwood. These plants are deciduous shrubs that grow up to 5 meters high and have smooth, gray-brown bark and short, crooked branches. The leaves are bright green and ovate, and the yellow flowers appear in clusters along the branches in early spring before the leaves emerge. The fruit is a small, brown capsule that splits open to release many tiny seeds. Dirca plants are known for their tough, flexible wood, which they used to make bows, arrows, and fishing spears by Native American peoples. They are also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as arthritis, coughs, and lung diseases. However, they are poisonous if ingested and can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea.