Poison Sumac in Georgia

Poison ivy is not the only plant to watch out for in the Georgia woods. According to Poison Plants of the Southeastern United States, poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) grows in all the southern states east of the Mississippi, including Georgia.

Unlike poison ivy, poison sumac is a tree or small shrub, not a vine. Instead of "leaves of three," it has seven to 13 leaflets arranged in alternate rows. Like poison ivy, it has green leaves in summer that change to colorful fall foliage. The University of Georgia describes poison sumac as yellow to orange in autumn.

According to a 1950 survey of Georgia trees, poison sumac is: "Scattered throughout most of the state but in most places an uncommon species, which is much to man's advantage." This scattered presence is likely because, in Georgia, you will find poison sumac only in the very moist soils along stream banks, or in bogs, pocosins and pinebarrens, according to Poison Plants of the Southeastern United States.

The advantage of poison sumac being uncommon in Georgia is that, like poison ivy, all parts of the poison sumac plant contain urushiol, which may cause skin irritation. The University of Georgia warns that poison sumac skin irritation is more painful that poison ivy or oak.

There are many common names for Toxicodendron vernix; "thunderwood" is an old Georgia name for poison sumac.