If it surprises you that rash-causing poison sumac has family ties with a plant that bears edible nuts, be prepared to be surprised again: Mango trees (Mangifera spp.) The differences in toxicity in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are due to differences in the side chains of the chemicals in these plants. Its scientific name is Toxicodendron vernix. Physical Characteristics Look for a 5 to 20 ft (1.5 to 6.1 m) shrub or tree. However, other species of the same family, like Rhus toxicodendron and Rhus vernicifera are very poisonous for humans and for animals. The spice we see in brick and mortar specialty stores and online is usually imported and derived from a Mediterranean sumac species, Rhus coriaria. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol. Unlike sumac spice, poison sumac is not edible and can actually be extremely dangerous to health. Poison ivy can be found in nearly every state, so there’s a good chance you will eventually cross paths with it. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Its leaves also have saw-toothed edges, unlike poison sumac. What is Poison Sumac? Native to North America, sumac is a rugged, easy-to-please, good looking, useful addition to a large yard or garden. Poison sumac is one of the most toxic plants in North America. Poison sumac is dangerous and scary, but ornamental sumac is delightful (if a bit intrusive). It's called \"allergic contact dermatitis\" because the rash is caused by contact with a substance to which you're allergic. Then wiser minds prevailed and poison ivy and oak were moved to a different genus, Toxicodendron, which is Latin for "poison tree." All rights reserved. Poison sumac is actually more closely related to two other rash-causing plants than it is to staghorn sumac: Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) When this happens, it's called an allergic reaction. Poison sumac is more similar to poison ivy and poison oak than it is to other sumacs. Don’t use warm water, as this could cause the oils to spread. Poison sumac is a plant of very wet areas. Poison sumac sports groups of separate berries (not fused together) that droop down from small stems. Learn the…, Sometimes your immune system will identify a substance as harmful, even though it isn't. Most commercial bug repellents can cause health and environmental problems. Clean all contaminated clothing, shoes, and gear with detergent several times. It grows in tropical and temperate regions all over the world. Difference is, poison sumac has clusters of grayish white berries that hang down, and the plants grow exclusively in low, wet, or flooded areas such as swamps and peat bogs. Despite these similarities, it is important to appreciate their differences. It is the largest of three related plants in the cashew family all of which can cause skin irritation, the other two being poison ivy and poison oak. Some bad native Sumacs or Sumac relatives that you should know about are Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans, formerly Rhus radicans) and Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix, formerly Rhus vernix). Skin contact with the oil of a poison sumac plant leads to an itchy, burning allergic skin reaction. Poison sumac grows as a shrub, 10-25 inches (25 to 60cm) tall. If the rash is on the face or genitals, spreads over a large part (30–50 percent) of the body, or you have a high fever (over 101°F), see your doctor. But there are also a few identification features that you should know to help you tell the two plants apart (at least at certain times of the year). It is relatively rare compared to the other members of the family. Staghorn sumac trees are short – between five and 15 feet tall – and the branches have between 4 and 15 pairs of long, pointed leaves. Thankfully, poison sumac is much less common than poison oak and poison ivy. Symptoms of an infection include redness, pain, pus, and oozing from the blisters. Chiggers live in tall weeds and grass, berry patches, and wooded areas. The rash-causing agent, urushiol, is the same, and it causes the same rashes. There are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available for … It's not just the ingredients. Moreover, they both are tall shrubs (sometimes reaching about 30 feet tall), deciduous, and native to eastern North America. Learn about natural repellents that actually work. Staghorn sumac is not to be confused with poison sumac. Inhalation of smoke from … Now, however, we are getting back to discovering the truth behind this plant. A poison sumac rash is an allergic reaction caused by poison sumac plant. Whereas poison sumac is known to botanists as Toxicodendron vernix, staghorn sumac is classified as Rhus typhina. Typically, they are around 4 to 5 millimetres (0.16 to 0.20 in) in size. They mature to an off-white color in the fall. Poison sumac is one of a trio of plants (poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak) that produce an oil called urushiol, which is a potent allergen. When the plant is bruised or damaged it releases an oil, called urushiol which causes an allergic skin reaction. American sunscreen may also be less great at sun and skin protection than brands from other countries. Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) inhabits swamps and other wet areas as well as pinewoods and hardwood forests. When we take a closer look at the botanical classification of poison sumac and staghorn sumac, however, we see how scientists have drawn a distinction between them: They belong to different genera. Take special care to clean under the fingernails to avoid spreading the oil to the eyes and other parts of the body. If you do not spend any time around swamps, there is a good chance that you will never see poison sumac, even if you visit a region to which it is native, such as New England (U.S.). Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Both plants can be responsible for a nasty rash that you wouldn’t wish upon anyone. A doctor may prescribe oral or strong topical steroids to help reduce inflammation. Not Poison Sumac. A person can be exposed to urushiol directly or by touching objects -- such as gardening tools, camping equipment, and even a pet's fur -- that have come into contact … Poison sumac releases an oil known as urushiol when the plant is bruised or damaged. Symptoms of a poison sumac rash appear 8–48 hours after exposure and can last for weeks. Hiking and biking in the parks and woodlands are popular outdoor activities, but some native plants can quickly turn your outing into a miserable experience. These are other well-known plants that are also in the Toxicodendron genus of the sumac family. If the oil is inhaled, which may occur if the plant is burned, it can lead to a dangerous lung irritation. All parts of a poison sumac plant are poisonous and the oils remain active even after the plant dies. Poison ivy and poison oak are two other commonly known poisonous plants that can cause a rash, but they look different from poison sumac. Poison sumac is considered the “most toxic plant in the country.” However, on a positive note, it’s also much rarer than the others. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause a rash if you come in contact with the urushiol oil found in them. Beginners at plant identification can easily confuse poison sumac and non-rash-causing types of sumac such as staghorn sumac. Staghorn sumac has bright orange or red berries growing at the edge of its stems. Poison sumac is actually more closely related to two other rash-causing plants than it is to staghorn sumac: Realizing that these two plants usually are found in quite different habitats is step one in distinguishing between them. Their high levels of energy, endless curiosity, and remarkable ability to bounce back from stumbles can put kids at risk. Scratching the skin can lead to an infection. Poison sumac is one of the most toxic plants in the United States, causing a horrible skin reaction that can persist for weeks. While poison sumac likes to grow in wetlands, most other sumacs prefer drier areas with well-drained soils. Learn how to keep them safe…. The best way to prevent poison oak rash is to learn to recognize the plant and avoid contact with it. Another beneficial plant in the family is the smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria), a popular ornamental landscape plant. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Poison Sumac. Even when dried-up, their leaves and stems can cause a rash.Here are a few things that may help you recognize them: Poison ivy: It can be a vine or shrub, and it can be found throughout most of the states except in Alaska and Hawaii. Species with red berries, including smooth and fragrant sumac, produce edible berries, while species with white berries, including poison ivy, have poisonous berries. The twigs on poison sumac are smooth; those on staghorn sumac are covered in tiny hairs. Symptoms, Treatment, and More, 10 Natural Ingredients That Repel Mosquitos, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Why You Need to Reconsider That Sunscreen You’re Using, leaves that consist of 7–13 leaflets arranged in pairs with a single leaflet at the end, elongated leaflets with a smooth, velvety texture, smooth edges, and a V-shaped point, bright orange leaves in the early spring that later become dark green and glossy, and then turn red-orange in the fall, ivory-white to gray fruits that are loosely packed, topical anesthetics, such as menthol or benzocaine, oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Poison sumac is toxic thanks to the … They are packed tightly together in soft, cone-shaped tufts that grow upright. Poison sumac, like poison ivy and poison oak, contains uroshiol, a highly irritating substance that causes severe rashes. So learning the differences between their leaves and twigs is even more helpful. It only grows in super wet areas, like bogs or swamps. Itching, also known as ‘pruritus’ in the medical world, can be more than a small annoyance. When burned, this substance is released into the air, and can cause severe lung irritation. Poison sumac is particularly abundant along the Mississippi River and swampy areas of the Southeast. People who work outside in the woods or swamp areas are particularly susceptible to poison sumac rash. Sumac is a fairly common plant, and you were probably taught for years that it is poisonous and should be avoided. But the berries of staghorn sumac are red. Approximately 250 species of sumac are known, from all of the continents, and they follow one simple, very handy generalization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends rinsing with rubbing alcohol, specialized poison plant washes, degreasing soap (such as dishwashing soap), or detergent, along with lots of water. An allergy to mangoes or cashews indicates that you are likely to also have an allergy to sumac. Poison sumac is considered more allergenic than both poison ivy and poison oak. Some conditions that cause skin rashes are very contagious. Because it spreads to form massive colonies, you usually do not see a single plant standing alone. If you work or spend a lot of time in wetlands, swamps, or shady hardwood forests, being able to identify local types of poison sumac throughout the seasons is key to avoiding exposure. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just want to hit the trail with your pup or kids, these apps will get you there. What Does Poison Sumac Look Like? The very genus name of poison sumac indicates its toxic nature. But the plants will have leaves for more months of the year than they will have berries, and they will have twigs (the youngest branches) year-round. Poison sumac is a type of plant that can cause an allergic skin reaction. The vast majority of people (estimates range from 60-90%, depending on your source) react to contact with urushiol by developing a distinctive allergic rash with oozing blisters. One such plant is poison sumac, a deciduous, woody shrub or small tree. Staghorn sumac, while very common, isn’t dangerous. Poison sumac also goes by the name thunderwood in the southeastern US.. Poison sumac is not edible, and like any foraged plant or ‘shroom, you should be 110% sure of what you’ve found before eating it. If you do come in contact with poison sumac, clean the area immediately with cool, soapy water and avoid scratching. Just like poison ivy, sumac also contains urushiol. The leaflets of poison sumac have smooth margins; those of staghorn sumac are toothed. Some people are more sensitive to the plants and will have harsher symptoms. The most widespread sumac — staghorn sumac — is non-poisonous. The shape of the berries is flattish. After all, until recently sumac, poison ivy, and poison oak were all classified under the same genus, Rhus. By contrast, the only warning to issue about staghorn sumac is that, if you want to grow it on your land as a shrub to give you great fall color, be aware that it can spread out of control via its underground rhizomes. (1, 2) Image 1: A poison sumac plant with grey to ivory white fruits. But poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is also a small tree with leaves like regular sumac. The word sumac is derived from the Arabic summãq, meaning red.And sumac is the common name for shrubs belonging to the Rhus genus; they bear fruit in clusters of orange to russet, and their leaves turn vividly scarlet in fall. The plant will quickly recover with new growth after mowing. Poison Sumac, or Toxicodendron vernix, is a common North American plant that causes skin irritation to people.Like its better-known cousin poison ivy, the green leaves of poison sumac sure to put a damper on an otherwise pleasant camping trip or another outdoor excursion. See pictures and learn about remedies. Sumac is a spice that is popular in the Middle East. This latter genus ialso ncludes a sumac impostor that does cause rashes, poison sumac (T. vernix). To be clear: we are not talking about poison sumac here. Wash any exposed parts thoroughly with soap and cool water. Poison sumac may be identified by its white drupes, which are quite different from the red drupes of true Rhus species. By contrast, if you visit New England in autumn to view the fall foliage, it would be difficult to avoid seeing staghorn sumac. Urushiol triggers an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with skin, resulting in an itchy rash, which can appear within hours of exposure or up to several days later. It is a frequent inhabitant of stretches along the roadside where the soil is dry. It is commonly seen in the southern and eastern parts of America. While poison sumac is related to the variety of sumac that is consumed as a … See pictures and learn about possible remedies. Winged sumac can be distinguished from poison sumac by its 9–23 leaflets and red berries. The berries (drupes) provide the most obvious clue. In terms of its potential to cause urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, poison sumac is more toxic than its relatives poison ivy and poison oak. Poison sumac is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3b through 8b. Staghorn Sumac, like many of our favorite edibles, is technically classified as a weed! © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Allergic…. A poison sumac is a plant similar to poison ivy and poison oak. as this could lead to an infection. Whereas poison sumac is known to botanists as Toxicodendron vernix, staghorn sumac is classified as Rhus typhina. Symptoms of lung irritation include coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. belong to the same family. Poison sumac, Toxicodendron vernix, is related to the poison ivies and poison oaks, not to the other sumacs. Poison sumac is rare and grows in moist woodland areas or near streams. Dermatitis simply means an irritation of the skin. Poison sumac typically … It can grow as high as thirty feet. Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) looks similar to poison sumac, but is nonallergenic (doesn’t cause an allergic reaction). Poison sumac, poisonous shrub or small tree of the cashew family, native to eastern North America. The most prominent feature is the clusters of bright red berries that top the trees in the late summer and early fall. There is a plant called “poison sumac,” but although some people have used that name for Missouri species, it technically belongs to a plant that does not occur in Missouri. Sumac is a general name for the 250 species of flowering plants in the Rhus genus. Family Ties Between Poison Sumac and Staghorn Sumac, How to Tell Poison Sumac and Staghorn Sumac Apart, How to Remove Poison Sumac From Your Garden, 12 Trees With Brilliant Fall Color Plus Other Advantages, Growing Tips for Arrowwood Viburnum Shrubs. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are all plants that can cause a temporary, irritating rash when they come in contact with your skin. Mowing of sumac is not a good control measure, since the wood is springy, resulting in jagged, sharp-pointed stumps when mown. Harmless sumac is almost always a tree. Sumac is in the same family as both of those plants. Yes, some varieties are poisonous, but many are not, and it’s not difficult to distinguish them. Both poison sumac and staghorn sumac have compound leaves, made up of individual leaflets. Symptoms can interfere with a person’s day-to-day activities depending on where the rash occurs on the body and how much it spreads. It can cause a lot of discomfort and may even become a…, Many people have experienced an occasional skin rash or unexplained mark. In fact, most species are harmless shrubs or trees. You should also make a visit to your doctor if you think your rash has become infected due to scratching. Fortunately, learning a little about the plants' respective habitats and the differences in their leaves, twigs, and berries will help you arrive at a positive identification and allow you to enjoy a walk in the woods with greater peace of mind. 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