When our skin contacts with the oil of the plant it will cause some allergies on your skin namely contact dermatitis. Symptoms of lung irritation include coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. It can become a large shrub or small tree 10-20 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide. Symptoms of a poison sumac rash appear 8–48 hours after exposure and can last for weeks. Rich green leaves turn to shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn. Usually grows in masses and suckers profusely. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Everything You Need to Know About Poison Ivy, Is This Rash Contagious? People who work outside in the woods or swamp areas are particularly susceptible to poison sumac rash. So while sumac fruit is not really a favorite wildlife food, it is an important winter survival food. It's not just the ingredients. You’ll have to wait for the symptoms to pass. A thicket of smooth sumac retained some of its berries in January, though most of them were gone. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Smooth and fragrant sumac are by far the most wide-ranging, found throughout the eastern United States. Poison Sumac Poison sumac is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3b through 8b. All rights reserved. Poison Sumac, formerly known as Rhus vernix, gives a bad rap to other native Sumacs, making many Minnesotans avoid all Sumacs in fear of severe, itching rash. Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room immediately if your eyes swell shut or you have difficulty breathing. Outstand-ing red fall color. That means it causes the same reaction as poison ivy — an itchy rash. All parts of a poison sumac plant are poisonous and the oils remain active even after the plant dies. The lance-shaped leaves of sumac species are up to 2 feet long and consist of numerous pairs of leaflets. There is no cure for the rash. Learn about natural repellents that actually work. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sumac species are avoided by some gardeners for a couple of reasons. The remaining sumac species in the Rhus genus are not poisonous. Symptoms can interfere with a person’s day-to-day activities depending on where the rash occurs on the body and how much it spreads. It can be found along the eastern and southern quadrants of the United States. Your Query - … Flower Description: Clusters of flowers are small, yellow-green and each flower forms into a berry on the erect cluster. Poison sumac is found in swamps, wetlands, pinewoods, and hardwood forests. Learn how to keep them safe…. Poison oak also typically comes in leaves of three. Fortunately poison sumac only grows in swamps and bogs so you’d have to go out of your way to touch it. See pictures and learn about possible remedies. Most commercial bug repellents can cause health and environmental problems. Thankfully, poison sumac is much less common than poison oak and poison ivy. Neither species is likely to cause skin irritation, although some people may be sensitive to the sap. Some caution should be employed in the use of this species since it can possibly cause skin irritations. That’s different than the Rhus genus, which encompasses the Arabic spice and staghorn sumac from North America. If you work or spend a lot of time in wetlands, swamps, or shady hardwood forests, being able to identify local types of poison sumac throughout the seasons is key to avoiding exposure. Clean all contaminated clothing, shoes, and gear with detergent several times. Hiking and biking in the parks and woodlands are popular outdoor activities, but some native plants can quickly turn your outing into a miserable experience. Smooth Sumac for Rectal Prolapse Drink a cup of tea by boiling 1 teaspoon of crushed Smooth Sumac leaves in one cup of water twice daily, in the morning and evening. Sumac foliage turns scarlet, orange or crimson in early fall. Scratching the skin can lead to an infection. Those poisonous varieties were later given their own genus, Toxicodendron. Symptoms, Treatment, and More, 10 Natural Ingredients That Repel Mosquitos, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Why You Need to Reconsider That Sunscreen You’re Using, leaves that consist of 7–13 leaflets arranged in pairs with a single leaflet at the end, elongated leaflets with a smooth, velvety texture, smooth edges, and a V-shaped point, bright orange leaves in the early spring that later become dark green and glossy, and then turn red-orange in the fall, ivory-white to gray fruits that are loosely packed, topical anesthetics, such as menthol or benzocaine, oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). All three have red fruits that form a distinctive terminal seed head, not the slender hanging clusters found in poison sumac. Take special care to clean under the fingernails to avoid spreading the oil to the eyes and other parts of the body. Poison sumac is commonly spotted in wet places of the Southeast. Staghorn sumac has bright orange or red berries growing at the edge of its stems. What to do if you’re exposed to poison sumac, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the rash is on the face or genitals, spreads over a large part (30–50 percent) of the body, or you have a high fever (over 101°F), see your doctor. Smooth and staghorn sumac have many leaflets (usually more than 13), which are narrow and lance-shaped. The fruit is persistent on the shrub into winter. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just want to hit the trail with your pup or kids, these apps will get you there. The leaves vary widely by species, but most are hairy and have toothed or finely cut leaves. Parts of smooth sumac have been used by various Native American tribes as an antiemetic, antidiarrheal, antihemorrhagic, blister treatment, cold remedy, emetic, mouthwash, asthma treatment, tuberculosis remedy, sore throat treatment, ear medicine, eye medicine, astringent, heart medicine, venereal aid, ulcer treatment, and to treat rashes. The leaflets are narrowed or rounded at the base and sharply pointed at the tip with finely toothed edges. It is a small tree or shrub that grows up to about six metres high. See pictures and learn about remedies. It can cause a lot of discomfort and may even become a…, Many people have experienced an occasional skin rash or unexplained mark. Many of them believe sumac plants (Rhus spp.) Itching, also known as ‘pruritus’ in the medical world, can be more than a small annoyance. One such plant is poison sumac, a deciduous, woody shrub or small tree. Sumac plants add texture and brilliant fall color, and several non-poisonous varieties are ideal for home landscapes. There are many over-the-counter remedies to help with your symptoms in the meantime, including: calamine lotion hydrocortisone creams topical anesthetics, such as menthol or benzocaine oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Smooth sumac occurs in open woods, brushy areas along roadsides, and fencerows. Poison Sumac. A doctor may prescribe oral or strong topical steroids to help reduce inflammation. Some conditions that cause skin rashes are very contagious. The leaflets of smooth sumac have teeth along the edges and are greater in number (eleven to thirty-one) than those seen in poison sumac (figure 11). It’s ideal for informal or naturalized areas of a landscape where soil is dry or rocky. Poison sumac releases an oil known as urushiol when the plant is bruised or damaged. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. American sunscreen may also be less great at sun and skin protection than brands from other countries. Rhus copallina is also known as winged sumac because its glossy compound leaves have a wing along the central leaf vein. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The smoke from burning poison sumac and other plants in its genus contains particles of the oil, and inhaling the smoke can lead to lung irritation. Smooth sumac, Rhus glabra, is the only shrub or tree that is native to all of the 48 contiguous states. Treatment will usually involve antibiotics. Staghorn sumac is very common throughout most of Ontario. Thick smooth branches form an open, irregular crown. Skin dermatitis, rashes, and itching from sumac spice due to urushiol content is a myth. These have been re-categorized to the plant genus Toxicodendron. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) and winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) are commonly occurring shrubs that may be mistaken for poison sumac, but there are several clear differences. This can be fatal. The best way to prevent poison oak rash is to learn to recognize the plant and avoid contact with it. Benefits of the oats includes -Colloidal oatmeal is an all-natural skin soothing solution for eczema, psoriasis, sunburns, bug bites, rashes (from contact with poison ivy and poison sumac), hives, and other skin concerns that involve dry, irritated, and/or itchy skin. It is occasionally used in modern herbalism where it is valued for its astringent and antiseptic qualities. Some other popular variations include the staghorn sumac, African sumac, smooth sumac and fragrant sumac. What are the symptoms of poison sumac rash? The leaves of the plant are smooth in general and oval shaped which contains seven to thirteen growing leaves on each stem. Hardy to -40°F Beginners at plant identification can easily confuse poison sumac and non-rash-causing types of sumac such as staghorn sumac.Indeed, the plants are related. A Special Note about Cool Season Annuals. Smooth Sumac has none of the hair on the leaves. It has alternate, compound leaves, 16-24 inches long. Skin contact with the oil of a poison sumac plant leads to an itchy, burning allergic skin reaction. Classified as shrubs or small trees, their heights range according to type: Staghorn sumac plants are the tallest, reaching up to 35 feet while fragrant sumacs are the shortest at 2 to 7 feet. Wash any exposed parts thoroughly with soap and cool water. Poison sumac is particularly abundant along the Mississippi River and swampy areas of the Southeast. Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) inhabits swamps and other wet areas as well as pinewoods and hardwood forests. The onus for that falls on an uncommon sumac lookalike, Toxicodendron vernix , that’s mainly found near swamps. Although it spreads rapidly, dwarf sumac is not considered invasive. Smooth sumac is a thicket-forming shrub or small tree with a spreading crown. If you do come in contact with poison sumac, clean the area immediately with cool, soapy water and avoid scratching. Sumac spice, however, is derived from the dried and ground berries of a specific type of sumac plant, Rhus coriaria. The rash itself is not contagious, but the oils can be spread if they remain on the skin, clothing, or shoes. The leaves of the three species differ slightly as well. Every part of the plant contains an oil that inflames skin and results in painfully itchy blisters and rashes. Bud Color - Gray-brown. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends rinsing with rubbing alcohol, specialized poison plant washes, degreasing soap (such as dishwashing soap), or detergent, along with lots of water. The rash itself is not contagious, but the oils can be spread if they remain on the skin, clothing, or shoes. They may have that belief because poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) and similar skin rash-causing plants used to be classified under the genus Rhus. FALSE. Chiggers live in tall weeds and grass, berry patches, and wooded areas. Skin contact with the oil of a poison sumac plant causes an allergic skin reaction known as contact dermatitis. Poison sumac is one of the most toxic plants in the United States, causing a horrible skin reaction that can persist for weeks. Moreover, they both are tall shrubs (sometimes reaching about 30 feet tall), deciduous, and native to eastern North America. If you’re exposed to poison sumac, the first step is to remove the oil from your skin. Identifying non-poisonous sumac plants is simple if you’re aware of a few key features that differentiate them from poison sumac. For example, non-poisonous sumac has green leaf stems while poison sumac’s leaf stems are bright red. are invasive, but most species are not. Lots of people think that sumac leaves cause skin rashes, like those of poison ivy do. There are many over-the-counter remedies to help with your symptoms in the meantime, including: You can also take an oatmeal bath to help relieve the itching. Shining, or winged, sumac is also fairly common. Its leaves also have saw-toothed edges, unlike poison sumac. Poison sumac leaflets have smooth margins and don’t have a winged main stem while non-poisonous sumacs may have serrations on the leaf margins and a winged main stem. The most common symptom from contact with the plant is a painful skin rash, often with sores and blisters. Identification Also, some people believe all sumac species cause a skin rash as an allergic reaction. They are multitrunked large shrubs or small trees and spread by suckers, creating thickets. Their high levels of energy, endless curiosity, and remarkable ability to bounce back from stumbles can put kids at risk. It’s ideal for stabilizing embankments, and it can be used as an informal hedge. -penetrates deep into skin and aids in healing muscle aches and tensions. Clusters of yellow flowers become velvety, red fruit in late summer. Staghorn Sumac has leaves that have a hairy leaf stem and rachis, the stem that the leaflets are attached to. Dwarf sumac has fewer leaflets and a winged midrib. Poison sumac is a shrub or small tree differentiated from the common sumac, staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) growing along U.S. highways and roads in USDA zones 4 through 8, by its leaves and berries. If the oil is inhaled, which may occur if the plant is burned, it can lead to a dangerous lung irritation. When this happens, it's called an allergic reaction. Don’t wait until a reaction appears on your skin to take action; a rash could take hours to develop. While poison sumac likes to grow in wetlands, most other sumacs prefer drier areas with well-drained soils. The rash can result from directly touching the plant or by touching tools, clothes, animals and other items that have the oil on them. Allergic…. The stems of poison sumac are smooth and hairless, as are the leaves. You should also make a visit to your doctor if you think your rash has become infected due to scratching. Poison sumac has hairless drupes that are white and turn green when mature. It is the most ornamental plant in the sumac genus and features shiny, dark-green foliage and showy, greenish-yellow flowers that bloom from July to August. Since smooth sumac's leaves make a nice poultice for rashes of the skin, were the leaves smoked to alleviate rashes? Inhalation of smoke from burning leaves and vines is extremely hazardous. Smooth sumac is well known for its brilliant red fall foliage and its deep red berries. Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) looks similar to poison sumac, but is nonallergenic (doesn’t cause an allergic reaction). Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is a small tree or shrub with smooth branches and large compound leaves that turn brilliant purple in early autumn, making them easy to identify at a distance. This rash can be long-lasting and spread over a large part of the body, depending on your level of exposure and your body's reaction to it. Non-poisonous sumacs grow well in dry soil while poison sumac prefers wet and moist soil. If you aren’t sure, before drinking sumac, rub some of the tea on the back of your hand and let it dry. Learn about some…. These are other well-known plants that are also in the Toxicodendron genus of the sumac family. Similar to Staghorn sumac but shorter. All parts of a poison sumac plant are poisonous and the oils remain active even after the plant dies. Smooth sumach was employed medicinally by various native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints. Leaves and Buds Bud Arrangement - Alternate. as this could lead to an infection. Most strikingly, they share a trait that draws much attention to them in autumn: extremely colorful fall foliage. What Is the Difference Between Laurelwood & English Laurel? Stalking Sumac in Ontario. Symptoms of a poison sumac rash appear 8–48 hours after exposure and can last for weeks. The leaflets of smooth sumac have teeth along the edges and are greater in number (eleven to thirty-one) than those seen in poison sumac (figure 11). Poison sumac is more similar to poison ivy and poison oak than it is to other sumacs. What are the complications of poison sumac rash? Its stems are smooth, like smooth sumac, but its flowers and fruit are not in dense spikes. In non-poisonous sumacs, the drupes, or fruits, have hairs and are red to crimson. Renee Miller began writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the "Community Press" newspaper. They may be in your backyard, by the lake, and along your favorite hiking…. Symptoms of an infection include redness, pain, pus, and oozing from the blisters. Just like poison ivy, sumac also contains urushiol. Like most other sumacs, it has excellent fall color and spreads by underground rhizomes, but it is less aggressive than smooth sumac. Dwarf sumac (Rhus copallinum variation latifolia) is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 and spreads over time to form colonies. The Smooth Sumac and Shining Sumac are smooth both on the twigs and the fruits. Cool season annuals are typically planted in the fall or early winter and flower in early spring under moderate temperatures. Poison sumac is considered the “most toxic plant in the country.” However, on a positive note, it’s also much rarer than the others. Non-poisonous sumac does not contain that oil so does not cause a skin rash, except in people who have an allergy or sensitivity to the plant. Poison sumac never has the wing margin on the midrib. It usually results to red and itchy rash. For example, fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 and blooms with yellow flowers in April. The leaflets are dark green and smooth above, and pale beneath, except along the midrib. Poison sumac rash refers to an allergic reaction of the skin due sticky oil found in sumac plants. Poison sumac is considered more allergenic than both poison ivy and poison oak. Its medium-green leaves turn shades of orange, red and purple in fall, and its leaves and twigs are fragrant when bruised. Smooth sumac is a U.S. native, deciduous, large shrub to small tree, seldom over 10-15 feet tall. Poison Sumac Rash Symptoms Some of the symptoms of Poison Sumac Rash are burning sensation, itchiness, swelling, blisters in the form of the water, and redness on the skin. Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) General Description A large, loose, open-spreading shrub with a flattish crown. It only grows in super wet areas, like bogs or swamps. Zones 4-9. Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario. Bud Size - Small, round-ovoid with leaf scar almost Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is a native plant that grows exclusively in very wet or flooded soils, usually in swamps and peat bogs. Leaves are alternate, feather-compound, 12–16 inches long, with 15–23 leaflets; central leaf-stem smooth, lacking wings; leaflets with tip pointed, base rounded, margins coarsely toothed; upper surface dark green, shiny; lower surface lighter to conspicuously white, smooth; broken leaves exude a white sticky sap. Sumac plants of both the poisonous and non-poisonous varieties will grow in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained. If you don’t get a rash within an hour or so, you should be fine to drink it. Latifolia, Trees with Hard, Red Berries & Yellow-Red Leaves in Autumn. In Missouri, staghorn sumac (introduced from states to our north and east) occurs along railroads, highways, and other open, disturbed areas.