Poison sumac is a native North American woody shrub or small tree that grows almost exclusively in saturated, acidic soils — bogs, swamps, and poorly drained bottomlands across the eastern United States and Canada. All plant parts contain urushiol, the same oil responsible for reactions caused by poison ivy and poison oak, and poison sumac is generally considered more potent than either. Smoke from burning plants is especially hazardous and can cause severe respiratory injury.
It reaches up to 9 m (30 ft) in wetland sites where few other woody plants establish. Compound pinnate leaves turn vivid orange, red, and purple in fall. Loose clusters of waxy white to gray berries persist into winter and are consumed by more than 20 bird species — including yellow-rumped warblers, woodpeckers, and wild turkeys — which disperse seeds broadly. The plant spreads by root suckers as well, making removal labor-intensive and high-risk without proper protective gear. It is also known as thunderwood, particularly in the southern United States.
Despite its toxicity to humans, poison sumac functions as a native component of wetland edge communities, providing reliable winter fruit for migratory and resident birds. Gardeners managing wetland margins should learn to identify it by its smooth gray stems, evenly paired leaflets, and pendant berry clusters on red stalks.