Poison Sumac
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 Poison Sumac leaves
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| Toxicodendron vernix Kuntze |
Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix or Rhus vernix) is a woody shrub growing to 3 m tall. All parts of the plant contain a toxic resin called urushiol that causes skin and mucous membrane irritation to humans. When burned, inhalation of the smoke causes diarrhea and other internal irritations. The leaves are pinnate, 25-50 cm long, with 7 - 13 leaflets; the leaflets are 4-10 cm long and sometimes mistaken for individual leaves. The veins from which the leaflets grow are always red. The fruit is a small white or grey berry, produced in panicles 10-20 cm long; this distinguishes it from other sumacs which have red berries.
Poison sumac grows exclusively in very wet or flooded soils, usually in swamps and peat bogs, in the eastern United States and Canada.
In the U.S., it can grow as far west as Wisconsin, where it is found only in the southern part of the state. In the U.S., it is listed under the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.), as a "noxious weed". Most U.S. states list this plant in similar categories. It is considered one of the "U.S. Invasive Weeds" [1]. In terms of its potential to cause urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, poison sumac is far more virulent than its relatives poison ivy and poison oak. According to some botanists, poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is the most toxic plant species in the United States (Frankel, 1991).
[edit] Avoidance, treatment, and safety
For specific information on prevention and treatment of Toxicodendron rashes, see Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis.
[edit] References and external links
- Entry for "TOVE" on PLANTS Database, USDA.
- Wisconsin page for poison sumac.
- Poison ivy / oak / sumac in "The Medicinal Herb FAQ".
- The Poison Sumac Page Photos and facts about poison sumac.
- Poison Oak at Wayne's Word
- Frankel, Edward, Ph.D. 1991. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac and Their Relatives; Pistachios, Mangoes and Cashews. The Boxwood Press. Pacific Grove, CA. (call #QK 495.A498 F73 1991). 98pages.
