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Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Paul Smith
Date Submitted: 6/17/2003
Location: Jacksonville, NC

Question Asked: This stuff had me worried until I realized that poison sumac doesn't have the winged rachis (axis between the leaflets) I figured it must be Rhus copallinum, also known as Winged Sumac, Shiny Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac, and Dwarf Sumac. I certainly hope you agree. You have my permission to use these. They were taken June 17th in Jacksonville, NC - my back yard is full of these.

Answer: Hi Paul -

I got a chuckle out of your submission as just that very same day I had a near panic attack over a plant I had my hands all over that turned out to be winged sumac. It was growing in a near constantly wet spot and though I knew it couldn't be poison sumac those smooth leaflets just had me going. Great pictures and good observation about this plant. According to Peterson Field Guide: Eastern Trees, Winged Sumac is one of the most similar to Poison Sumac but with the winged midribs. Thanks for the submissions - I'll have to see about adding this to our pictures section with "similar plants"