Poison Sumac

• Shrub or small tree that can grow up to 15 - 20 feet tall.
• Leaves alternate, deciduous, pinnately compound; leaflets seven to 13, elliptic to oblong, 2 to 5 inches long, 0.75 to 2 inches wide, entire, rachis usually reddish and not winged.
• This species varies from the nonpoisonous species of sumac in that the leaflets are entire and the rachis is not winged; other species have serrate margins or if entire, the rachis is winged.
• Flowers in panicles in axils of lower leaves.
• Fruit is glabrous and small ivory or white berries that form in clusters.
• Found throughout the southern states east of the Mississippi River but limited in distribution to very moist areas; in bogs, pocosins, wet pine barrens, and stream borders.

• All parts of the plants are poisonous.
• The toxic principle is a phenolic compound called urushiol.  This oil is a skin and mucous membrane irritant and is found in all parts of the plant.
• Some humans are quite sensitive to the effects of the toxin oil while others show no ill effects from coming into contact with the plant.
• The toxin oil has little or no effect on animals, but pets may carry the irritating substance on their hair and thereby transmit it to humans.

• The toxin oil of Poison Sumac is found in its stems and leaves. 
• The reaction and rash in susceptible humans usually starts with itchiness and swelling, followed by the reddish inflammation of tiny pimples or formation of blisters at the areas of contact.  Animals are rarely affected.
• The rash can vary in severity from person to person and from year to year on an individual.
• The rash can begin as early as an hour after contact or up to five days after contact.
• The oil can even be transmitted from a pet's fur or through the smoke from burning Poison Sumac.

• If you come in contact with Posion Sumac, wash your skin with strong soap and hot water immediately, and remove and wash all clothes, including shoes and socks in a strong detergent and warm or hot water.
• Also, keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth and face.
• If you develop a rash, don't scratch it. You can apply calamine lotion, zinc oxide ointment or a paste made with baking soda and water to the rash. If these measures don't work, call your doctor.
• Some people have severe allergic reactions to the these plants and can have swelling in the throat, breathing problems, weakness, dizziness and bluish lips. Some people even fall into unconsciousness. If any of these reactions occur, seek emergency medical care.

• Avoiding all contact with posion sumac is best. However if control is desired, May and June are the best times to apply control measures to these this plants, but it can be done any time of the year.
• Always identify the plant before attempting any control measures.
• Burning can be dangerous and is not recommended for disposal or as a control measure because the toxic oil from the plant can be carried in smoke.
• Spraying the foliage with glyphosate (sold under the trade names of Roundup or Kleenup and others) is recommended.
• Always follow directions on the label when using these herbicides. Glyphosate will kill almost any plant that it contacts. 

 

Always Read the Label