Poison Sumac

Toxicodendron vernix

Poison Sumac

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Anacardiaceae
Genus:
Toxicodendron
Species:
Toxicodendron vernix

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
Yellow, Green, Brown

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Episimus argutanus, Eutelia pulcherrimus, Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
wet, organic-rich, poorly-drained soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.0 (acidic)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in wetlands and bogs

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are not given a stratification or scarification, but may benefit from such a treatment. Seeds are similar to Rhus spp. seeds, which have markedly greater germination after acid scarification.

Establishment: The plant is found in Southern Maine and southwest Nova Scotia to Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana, south to Florida and Texas. It is usually found in swamps, often in shade.

Source: npn.rngr.net