A wetland shrub or small tree with smooth-edged leaflets and reddish leaf stalks. Pale fruits hang in loose clusters. All parts contain urushiol; avoid contact and never burn this plant.
Poison Sumac field photographs. Select the photo to open the slideshow.
Family: Anacardiaceae
Growth: Deciduous shrub or small tree
Bloom: Early–mid summer
Habitat: Swamps, bogs, marshes, and wet riverbank thickets
Other common names
Poison Sumac
Bloom timing varies with location and growing conditions. Source: NC State Extension.
Explore photographed sightings and their locations.
Habitat
Swamps, bogs, marshes, and wet riverbank thickets
Bloom period
Early–mid summer
Native to North America.
Eastern Canada and east-central and eastern United States.
Reported U.S. distribution
AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Reported U.S. distribution from the linked source; occurrence does not imply native status in every state.
Distribution source: NC State Extension.
Observations show reported sightings; they do not define the plant’s complete native range.
Study the photographs and field notes for Poison Sumac, then practice identifying this and other wildflowers in the quiz.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.
NC State Extension — identification and range
iNaturalist — Poison Sumac observations
