Poison sumac bears the Latin name Toxicodendron vernix, replacing the older name, Rhus vernix. It is prevalent in Canada and the eastern United States, including the Adirondacks, and grows only in areas with moist soil.
Swamp Sumac is a woody shrub that may reach a small tree and contains a poisonous resin that is very irritating to humans. It can create a rash because it contains urushiol, plant oil that some people are sensitive to.
Contact with any of these plants may cause an adverse skin reaction. These reactions are minor and do not require medication. Blisters induced by the reaction may develop infected and require antibiotic therapy in some cases.
Poison Sumac
Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is a tiny tree or shrub found in the eastern and southeastern United States. These are well-known species of the Toxicodendron genus of the sumac family. A Swamp sumac plant stem has seven to thirteen leaves.
Toxicodendron vernix, often known as poison sumac or swamp-sumach, is a woody shrub or small tree that can reach a height of 9 meters. In the southern United States, this shrub is also known as thunderwood.
It bears greenish blooms that grow in 8-20 cm long loose axillary panicles. The sub-globose, whitish-gray, flattened fruits, which are about 0.5 cm wide, are eaten by birds.
Swamp sumac, a deciduous, woody shrub or small tree, is one such plant. Swamp sumac may be found in marshes and other moist regions, and pine and hardwood forests. The fruit of Swamp sumac is creamy white and clustered.
Plant Overview
- Botanical Name: Toxicodendron vernix
- Common Name: Poison sumac, thunderwood, swamp sumac
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub or tree
- Mature Size: 5–25 ft. tall, 5–20 ft. wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, moist
- Soil pH: Acidic
- Bloom Time: Spring, summer
- Flower Color: Yellowish-green
- Hardiness Zones: 3–8 (USDA)
- Native Area: North America
- Toxicity: Toxic to people
How To Identify Poison Sumac?
Poison sumac is a small tree that grows to be about 30 feet tall. It has pinnate leaves, similar to fern leaves or feathers. Each pinnate leaf has 9 to 13 leaflets that are opposite each other.
Swamp sumac produces berry-like fruits in loose clusters. They are white and around 4-5 mm in size.
Tips To Identify Poison Sumac In The Wild:
- Swamp sumac grows in moist regions. Swamp sumac grows in moist places in the eastern United States, especially in the southern states.
- Swamp sumac looks like a shrub. Swamp sumac can be found as a shrub or a small tree. Poison sumac is found near sources of water. Poison sumac is found along riverbanks, lakes, and in marshy places.
- Swamp sumac leaves grow in clusters of seven or more. A Swamp sumac branch has seven to 13 leaves. The leaves have smooth edges, but nonpoisonous sumac plants have rough, jagged edges.
- Swamp sumac plants have drooping clusters of white berries in the fall and green berries in the summer. The berries are oblong rather than entirely spherical. Swamp sumac may have clusters of tiny, yellow-green blooms in the spring and summer.
Poison Sumac Is Identified by Following Features:
- Stems are reddish
- Leaves with 7-13 leaflets arranged in pairs, with a single leaflet at the tip.
- Leaflets which are elongated and have a smooth, velvety feel, smooth edges, and a V-shaped tip.
- Along the stem, the leaves grow in opposite directions.
- Bright orange leaves emerge in early spring, becoming dark green and glossy before turning red-orange in the fall.
- Grows in swamps and areas that are very damp or flooded.
- Clusters of small yellow-green blooms
- Fruits that range from ivory-white to grey and are loosely packed
How To Treat a Poison Sumac
Poison sumac is the dangerous plants in the US, creating a terrible skin response that can last for weeks. Swamp sumac is far less prevalent than poison oak and poison ivy.
If you have been exposed to Swamp sumac, the first action is to wash the oil from skin. Don’t wait until a rash appears on skin to take action; a rash might develop over several hours.
Soap and cool water must used to deep clean any exposed areas. Rinsing with rubbing alcohol, specific toxic plant washes, degreasing soap, and plenty of water is suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To avoid spreading the oil to the eyes and other regions of the body, take great care to wipe beneath the fingernails. Wash any infected clothing, shoes, and gear several times.
There is no cure for the rash. You must wait for the symptoms to subside. In the meantime, there are many over-the-counter medicines that can assist with symptoms, such as:
- Calamine lotion
- Hydrocortisone creams
- Topical anesthetics, such as menthol or benzocaine
- Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine
Toxicity of Poison Sumac
Poison sumac contains urushiol, a highly irritating allergic phenolic chemical. The resin 3-n-pentadecylcatechol is the most poisonous. These chemicals are found in all portions of the plant, green or dried.
Swamp sumac has the same toxin, urushiol, as poison ivy and poison oak, but the toxin in Swamp sumac is much more concentrated. This toxin is found in all sections of the plant and is still active in dead poison sumac plants.
Wear clothes when working with Swamp sumac in garden, like long sleeves and pants, rubber gloves, and boots. After work in the garden, water out boots and gloves and immediately wash clothes. It’s a good to take a shower in case there’s any resin on body.
Summary
Poison sumac is easy to touch with Swamp sumac when going outside, especially in damp areas. A person can reduce the risk of having contact with Swamp sumac by covering all areas of skin as much as possible.
Swamp sumac oil can stick to the skin and fingernails. Within a few days, contact with these oils might cause a skin response. The rash may be red and irritating, with fluid-filled blisters.
Severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or swelling in the throat, must be treated quickly since they can become life threatening quickly.
These symptoms are usually treatable at home with more medications. If the rash spreads or becomes infected, must consult a doctor.
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