Poison Sumac
Toxicodendron vernix
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Freekee
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Genus:
- Toxicodendron
- Species:
- Toxicodendron vernix
- USDA Symbol:
- TOVE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Episimus argutanus, Eutelia pulcherrimus, Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 150–210 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Requires warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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