of New York 



103 



POISON SUMAC 



Rhus Vernix, Linnaeus 



THE POISON Sumac, also called Poison Elder, and Swamp 

 Sumac, differs from the other sumac in that it produces 

 ivory-white fruit. 



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

 with 7 to 1 3 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-bearing 

 and seed-producing occur on different trees. They are 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. In New York this tree is 

 found from Lake Champlain to Jefferson county southward 

 and westward through the State outside of the higher Adi- 

 rondack region. Swamps, low grounds and moist slopes are 

 its favorite home. This tree is one of our most poisonous 

 plants. Some people are immune from its attack while others 

 are highly susceptible. 



The Dwarf Sumac — Rhus copallina, Linnaeus — is a non- 

 poisonous Sumac native in New York. It rarely exceeds 25 

 feet in height and may be distinguished by its leaves with 

 winged stalks and leaflets with smooth margins. 



