Poison Sumac

Toxicodendron vernix Kuntze

Toxicodendron vernix, known as poison sumac, is a woody shrub or small tree that can grow up to 9 metres in height. It is part of the Anacardiaceae family and was previously classified under the genus Rhus as Rhus vernix. The plant is found in various regions, including Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and several U.S. states such as Vermont, Alabama, and Florida. It is also referred to as thunderwood in parts of the southern United States.

Description

Toxicodendron vernix is a member of the Anacardiaceae family and is native to a wide range of locations across North America. It was first described in 1891 by Kuntze. The plant is commonly called poison sumac or swamp-sumach. It is a woody shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 9 metres. In some regions, particularly in the southern U.S., it is known by the name thunderwood. The species was formerly classified as Rhus vernix before being reclassified into the genus Toxicodendron.

Other common names

Poison SumacPoison-AshSwamp Sumac

Distribution

Nova Scotia · Ontario · Quebec · Vermont-US · Global · Alabama · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Québec · Rhode I. · South Carolina