Poison Sumac Shrubs

The sumac plant is a notorious skin irritant.

The poison sumac shrub is a beautiful but notoriously irritating forest and wetland plant. As with poison ivy and poison oak, physical contact with any part of the poison sumac plant may cause mild to severe allergic reactions on the skin.

Habitat

Poison sumac shrubs are typically found in swamps and bogs. Forests in the Eastern United States are also home to this skin irritant.

Identification

The poison sumac shrub has large, light-green leaves that grow opposite one another on red stems. Small green flowers produce white fruit known as drupes. Poison sumac leaves change to deep red and purple in the fall.

Toxicity

According to the Poison Control Center of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, as many as 70 percent of people who come into contact with poison sumac, poison oak or poison ivy have an allergic reaction to it. The typical allergic reaction is contact dermatitis. Poison sumac may also cause blisters and swelling.

References

• Duke University: Poison Sumac
• University of Florida: Florida Forest Plants: Poison Sumac
• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: The Poison Control Center: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac