Poison Sumac Toxicodendron vernix
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhus aequalis
- Rhus venenata
- Rhus vernix
- Phonetic Spelling
- toks-ee-ko-DEN-dron VER-niks
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Poison sumac is a native, deciduous, erect shrub or small tree in the Anacardiaceae (sumac) family native to eastern Canada as well as east-central and eastern United States. They are typically found in the coastal plains of North Carolina, rarely seen in the piedmont or mountain sections of North Carolina. The genus name, Toxicodendron, is Greek and a combination of two words. Toxikos means "poison." Dendron means "tree." The species name, vernix, is Latin and means "varnish." Other common names include thunderwood and swamp sumac.
Found growing primarily in bogs, marshes, swamps, and thickets along river banks it prefers acidic soil and full to partial sunlight. It has an open crown and grows to 25 feet in height with a trunk 6 inches across. It often sprouts at the base of the shrub or tree.
Poison sumac leaves are dark green, alternate, and compound with 7-13 leaflets. In the fall the leaves turn a brilliant orangish-red color. The flowers are greenish-yellow with 5 petals and appear in dangling panicles. Birds and rabbits are attracted to the ripening yellowish-white drupes. The stems are reddish, and the bark is smooth and grayish brown with lenticels.
Poison sumac resembles a young ash tree, however, ash trees have opposite instead of alternate leaves, and its fruits are winged samara instead of drupes.
Although much appreciated by wildlife, this species is best left in the wild. It is not recommended for most gardens.
Quick ID Features:
- long, smooth, alternate leaves with 7-13 leaflets and entire margins
- red stems or rachis connecting to the leaflets
- black sap from the trunk
- grows in swamp or moist flooded areas
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Poison Sumac contains the toxin Urushiol, which is also found in Poison Ivy and Poison Oak and all parts of this plant are poisonous and will cause skin redness, itching, blistering, and swelling. Inflammation and fluid can accumulate in the lungs from inhaling the smoke from burning Poison Sumac, which can be fatal. Always wear protective clothing to prevent contact with this plant. Thoroughly wash your hands, clothing, and tools with soap and water after exposure,
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Toxicodendron
- Species:
- vernix
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada and East Central and Eastern United States
- Distribution:
- Canada: Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec USA: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, KY, IL, IN, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VT. VA, WV, WI
- Wildlife Value:
- Small bees and flies are attracted to the flowers for nectar and pollen. Caterpillars of moths such as Eutelia pulcherrima (Beautiful Eutelia), Marathyssa inficita ( Dark Marathyssa), and Paectes oculatrix (Eyed Paectes) feed on the leaves. The adult and larvae of the Sumac Flea Beetle also eat the leaves. Bobwhites, Ring-necked pheasants, and Ruffled Grouse consume the fruits in winter. The Cottontail Rabbit gnaws on the bark and twigs of young shrubs.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The female flowers form clusters of dangling, smooth, round, berry-like drupes. They measure less than 1/4 inch in diameter and contain one seed. The drupes ripen from green to a dull yellowish-white in the late summer. The berries may persist through the winter and provide food for birds and rabbits. The fruit is toxic to humans.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers appear as drooping panicles up to eight inches long and four inches wide. Each flower has five greenish-yellow petals that appear early to mid-summer. The flower is less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Male and female flowers are usually on separate plants. The male flower has five white stamens with yellow anthers. The female flower has a pistil and one style. If it is a perfect flower, there are both a pistil and five stamens. The calyx cupping the flower has five pointed lobes. The flower is toxic to humans.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, compound, and measure 8-13 inches long. New growth may be reddish. There are 7 to 13 shiny dark green leaflets. The leaflets measure 2 to 4 inches long and 1-1.5 inches wide. They are elliptic to ovate in shape with entire margins. The undersides of the leaflets are a dull green. The rachis or stems are pale to bright red and smooth. The leaves turn bright orange to red in the fall. The leaves are toxic to humans.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Lenticels
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth and grayish-brown with dark horizontal lenticels. The sap turns black when exposed to air. The bark is toxic to humans.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Heart or shield shaped
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems appear pale to bright red and smooth. The twigs are stout, smooth, and orangish-brown in color. They have numerous dark lenticels. The leaf scar is large and shield-shaped. The buds have downy scales. Dark-colored sap oozes from the stem if it is broken or cut. The stems and sap of the plant are toxic to humans.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- The possible symptoms include an itchy rash, redness, swelling, blisters, sores, fever, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Inhaling burning poison sumac can potentially be fatal because it causes lung inflammation and fluid build-up in the lungs. Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal inflammation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Urushiol
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
