Poison Sumac
ExplorePlants
Poison Sumac
toxicodendron vernix
Poison Sumac is a plant that grows in wet areas and has beautiful, colorful leaves. But be careful! Touching it can cause a rash.
Habitat: Wet areas, swamps, and along riverbanks.
Appearance
The Poison Sumac is a shrub or small tree, often with smooth, glossy green leaves that grow in pinnately compound clusters of 7 to 13 leaflets. Its stems can be reddish, and in fall, the leaves turn vibrant red, orange, or yellow. Distinctive drooping clusters of waxy, white or grayish-white berries persist through winter.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyAnacardiaceaeGenusToxicodendron
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
4/5 · High
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its irritating oil can remain potent on objects for years, even after the plant is gone!
Only touching a broken part of the plant can trigger a severe rash!
Some people are completely immune to its rash, but this is extremely rare!
Unlike harmless sumacs, its berries hang downwards, not upright like a torch!
Special abilities
Ability
Irritant Shield
Poison Sumac produces urushiol oil that causes an itchy rash, helping it deter hungry herbivores.
Ability
Water Resilience
Poison Sumac can thrive in soggy swamps or drier areas, helping it survive diverse conditions.
Ability
Seed Attractor
Poison Sumac has white berries that are attractive to birds, helping it spread its seeds far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-600 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Birds eat the berries, dispersing seeds widely.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Bees visit its small flowers for nectar and pollen.
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse the foliage and twigs, often without harm.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Poison Ivy's cousinRhus vernixToxic Sumac
Collections
Safety
Danger
4/5 · High
Do not touch this plant, as it can cause skin irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Poison Sumac?
100-600 cm
How wide does Poison Sumac spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Poison Sumac?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Poison Sumac bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Poison Sumac edible?
No
Is Poison Sumac toxic?
High
What is Poison Sumac's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Poison Sumac pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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