Toxicodendron vernix

Common Names-

• poison wood
• poison tree
• poison tree
• poison weed
• poison dogwood
• poison elder
• poison ash
• many more...

(Frankel, 1991)

Identification

• Leaves -

  Toxicodendron vernix branches support four alternate, pinnately compound leaves which are lobeless and even-edged. These leaves are arranged oppositely with a single leaf on the end of reddish leaf stalks (Eastman, 1995). Identification problems arise since the leaves look much like those of elder, walnut and ash. Just like these others, the leaves of poison sumac turn bright colors in the fall (Frankel, 1991). Also, like poison ivy, the leaves of this plant contain urishiol which causes dermatitis with blisters and vesicles (Woodward, 1985).

• Flowers-

  Similar to Toxicodendron radicans, climbing poison ivy, the flowers of poison sumac form in axillary clusters that are sweet-smelling.

• Reproduction-

  Toxicodendron vernix reproduces exactly like poison ivy in terms of pollination. That is, bees transport the pollen of the male plant to the pistil of the female plant. There, the pollen combines with the female's egg giving rise to the fruit in the form of whitish drupes (Frankel, 1991). The seeds in the the drupes are then dispersed by birds (Eastman, 1995).

General Information

Geography

Toxicodendron vernix L.
AREA	STATUS	REFERENCES
North America: Continental United States; Canada	Yes	Frankel, 1991
Eastern North America: United States east of Mississippi; Ontario and eastern Canada	Yes	Frankel, 1991
Southeastern United States: AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV	Yes	Frankel,1991
Southern Appalachian States: AL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV	Yes	Frankel, 1991
Coastal Plain	Widespread	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Piedmont	Yes	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Blue Ridge Mountains	Marginal	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park	?	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Ridge and Valley	Yes	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Cumberland Plateau	Yes	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Central Arch	?	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Georgia	Yes	Roger Hilten, pers. ob.
Clarke County, Georgia	Yes	UGA Herbarium Specimens
Sams Farm	Abundant	Roger Hilten, Pers. Ob.
Old Field	No	Roger Hilten, Pers. Ob.
Wetland	Abundant	-
Woods	No	Roger Hilten, Pers. Ob.
1-Hectare Plot	No	Roger Hilten, Pers. Ob.

References

Eastman, John. 1995. The Book of Swamps and Bogs. Stackpole Books. Mechanicsberg, PA.

Frankel, Edward, Ph.D. 1991. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac and their relatives; pistachios, mangoes, cashews. The Boxwood Press. Pacific Grove, CA. (call #QK 495.A498 F73 1991). 98pages.

Walters, Dirk R. 1988. Vascular Plant Taxonomy. Kendall/Hunt. Dubuque, Iowa. (call #QK 93.W31 1988). 488 pages.

Woodward, Lucia. 1985. Poisonous Plant; A Color Field Guide. David and Charles. New York.