\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. It has compound leaves with 7-13 smooth-edged leaflets, as shown in figure 1. It is commonly seen in the southern and eastern parts of America. But it’s much more concentrated in poison sumac, making some reactions especially severe. This Fact Sheet is to help inform and educate the general public on how to identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac so they can be avoided. Did not know to use alcohol or that it grew as a tree! Poison sumac roots are pretty shallow. When poison ivy starts to blossom in the spring, its leaves may be red or a mixture of red and green. It sports medium green leaves in the summer, which turn to a red-orange in the fall. ", "My friend's garden is at sea level, no problem. However, the toxicity of poison sumac makes it unadvisable for use in landscape applications. ", so of them, and another plant I thought was poisonous wasn't! % of people told us that this article helped them. What does the poison sumac rash look like? Use it carefully to avoid killing the surrounding plants. The goal is typically to eradicate it, not foster it. The berries may be eaten by animals or fall off naturally during the winter, so it’s not a surefire way to identify poison sumac. Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and all U.S. states east of them, including all of the South. They are bright orange in spring, dark green in … Then, spray the area with a hose to loosen the soil. Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans and Toxicodendron rydbergii), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum and Toxicodendron pubescens), and poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) all contain the same toxic oil named urushiol, which causes a red, blistering, itchy rash. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You can cover the site with cardboard or a tarp for at least a full growing season to smother any new plants that try to grow. If your dog eats poison sumac, you should take them to a vet right away. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. All parts of the plant contain this toxin, and it even remains active in dead poison sumac plants. Thanks very much! Make sure you immediately bag all the clippings and never burn them. It often grows next to Cinnamon ferns (Osmunda cinnamomea), marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris), cattails (Typha), and winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata). The flowers are extremely tiny, and they can be hard to miss at first glance. In different states, there are different types of poison ivy and oak. Poison sumac leaves change color throughout the year, just like other deciduous plants. The Short Answer: Poison sumac is a large shrub or small tree found in wet areas.