88 Common Trees 



POISON SUMAC 



Rhus Vernix, Linnaeus 



THE Poison Sumac, also called Poison Elder, and Swamp 

 Sumac, differs from the other sumac in that it pro- 

 duces ivory-white fruit. 



The leaves are alternate, 7 to 14 inches long, compound 

 with 7 to 13 leaflets. The leaflets are 3 to 4 inches long, 



POISON SUMAC 

 One-half natural size. 



narrowly egg-shaped, smooth along margin, dark green and 

 shiny above, pale on lower surface. 



The flowers appear in June or July. The pollen-bear- 

 ing and seed-producing occur on different trees. They arc 

 small, yellowish-green, arranged in drooping panicles. The 

 fruit is small, round, glossy ivory-white drupe, arranged in 

 loose drooping clusters. The bark is smooth, somewhat 

 streaked, light to dark gray, marked with elongated dots. 

 The twigs are stout, orange-brown, smooth, glossy. The 

 buds are purplish, about two-fifths of an inch long, sharp- 

 pointed. The wood is soft, brittle, coarse-grained, light 

 yellow. 



The Poison Sumac is found from Ontario to Minnesota 

 south to Florida and Louisiana. This small tree is rare in 

 Ohio, occurring in Geauga, Cuyahoga, Wayne, Wyandot, 

 Licking, Fairfield and a few other counties. Swamps, low 

 grounds and moist slopes are its favorite home. This tree is 

 one of our most poisonous plants. Some people are im- 

 mune from its attack while others are highly susceptible. 



The Dwarf Sumac — Rhus copallina, Linnaeus — is an- 

 other of the non-poisonous Sumacs native in all parts of 

 Ohio, being most common in the southeast part. It rarely 

 exceeds 15 feet in height and may be distinguished by its 

 leaves with winged stalks and leaflets with smooth margins. 



