This is a great plant for … A sumac plant is a type of small tree or shrub with compound leaves, milky sap, and fleshy fruit. Poison sumac grows mostly on the eastern side of the United States. It’s the bad-hair-day-all-winter that still has me hesitating. You can give it a bit of a trim to keep it tidier and contained. The crushed foliage has a pleasant bittersweet fragrance. The oils can stick to the skin and fingernails quickly. In the fall, all the sumacs are beautiful, with foliage colors of magnificent maroon to red and oranges and touches of yellow. These stems spread out horizontally over the ground and can root where they come in contact with th… Trailing-rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system. Fragrant Sumac. 5′ or 3.5m tall) is planted extensively along Lake Shore Blvd. The taller species (approx. Blisters can also become infected. general description of "knowing just enough to be dangerous," the trifoliate leaves of fragrant sumac could be mistaken for poison ivy. Aromatic sumac, lemon sumac, polecat bush Uses Wildlife: The fruit is an important winter food for birds, including turkey, ruffed grouse, robins, and flickers, and for various small mammals (e.g., raccoon, opossum, chipmunk). Approximately 250 species of sumac are known, from all of the continents, and they follow one simple, very handy generalization. It is possible to come into contact with poison sumac when outdoors, particularly in wet areas. The glossy, green foliage displays an excellent red fall color and is fragrant when brushed against or leaves are crushed. The sumacs are members of the Anacardiaceae (or Cashew Family), like cashews, mangos, and a few common poisonous species. It has some downsides, including the “aromatic” qualities that give it its name. They can range from orange to deep red. Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica Cashew family (Anacardiaceae) Description: This woody shrub is 2-8' tall. It has trifoliate (with three leaflets), medium-green leaves that turn orange, red, and purple in autumn. But you know January in Toronto, when snow can often be a no-show. What would you do? Family Name: Anacardiaceae. In some cases, however, blisters from the reaction can become infected and require antibiotic treatment. Poison sumac, poison ivy, and poison oak plants occupy numerous outdoor areas. Also, poison ivy can climb as a vine, with aerial roots, while fragrant sumac doesn't climb at all. One difference is that the leaflets of fragrant sumac are attached at a single point, while the terminal leaflet of poison oak has a short stem. Second, folks believe that contact with sumac foliage causes skin rashes just like poison ivy. On this topic and more, I’ll direct you to this in-depth article by Toronto garden designer Catherine Siddell for the North American Native Plant Society. Hardy zones 3-9. Rhus diversiloba), and poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix, syn. Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is often mistaken for poison oak, and both grow in similar habitats. Poison sumac is a shrub or small tree differentiated from the common sumac, staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) growing along U.S. highways and roads in USDA zones 4 through 8, by its leaves and berries. This is Fragrant Sumac, Rhus aromatica, a cousin of poison ivy. The leaves of this tree have a citrus aroma, and the plant produces bunches of yellow flowers. Some species formerly recognized in Rhus, such as poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans, syn. Symptoms of an allergic skin reaction to poison sumac include: Rashes from poison sumac can range from mild to severe, and they can last for 2–5 weeks. The foliage is relatively unpalatable to most species of wildlife and domestic livestock. East and around the new bus barn on Leslie. The plants tend to grow in wet areas, such as swamps. This oil can reach the skin indirectly, such as by touching contaminated clothing. This vigorous, ground-hugging shrub makes an excellent ground cover, suckering and filling in areas quickly. OTC treatments can provide pain relief from the rash. They are often caused by beauty products…. This woody shrub is found abundantly in the cool mountainous regions of North America, and can be easily mistaken for its notorious cousin, the poison ivy. A sumac plant is a type of small tree or shrub with compound leaves, milky sap, and fleshy fruit. Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, can relieve itching. The name Fragrant Sumac is about the distinct smell this plant has. Thickets of fragrant sumac Coming into contact with urushiol causes contact dermatitis, which is a type of allergic skin reaction. Poison sumac is a type of plant that can cause an allergic skin reaction. Fuzzy, kind of like a staghorn sumac (Rhus typina). Never miss a post with our weekly roundup from Toronto Gardens, right in your inbox. The red-leaf shots were taken yesterday. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Rather than the red mulch (grimace) at the Green-P below, I’d rake more leaves into the aromatic sumac patch. A commenter on our Toronto Gardens Facebook page said he wouldn’t be bothered by the bad hair days, so perhaps I’m being overly fussy. Staghorn sumac is not to be confused with poison sumac. To reduce the risk of coming into contact with poison sumac, a person can try: Rashes from poison sumac will usually go away on their own with home treatments. Perhaps a nice piece of sculpture or artfully arranged rocks would distract the eye over winter. Even the poisonous species have beautiful fall color. However, avoid applying these creams and pastes to any open blisters. Fragrant (aromatic) sumac (R. aromatica) is never a small tree, so it is typically smaller than our other sumacs. It is usually best to avoid popping any blisters, as this increases the risk of infection. Coming into contact with any of these plants can cause an allergic skin reaction. The differentiating feature is fragrant sumac does not bear a petiole like poison ivy. These reactions are usually mild and do not require treatment. Turns out they’re all cousins. 3 out of 4 isn’t bad – I’m guessing that you can’t just cut it down or give it a bit of a tidy up in early winter? It inhabits mostly uplands areas, while poison ivy has no odor and can inhabit various habitats. Not Poison Sumac. 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