poison sumac

noun

: a swamp shrub (Toxicodendron vernix synonym Rhus vernix) chiefly of the eastern U.S. and Canada that has pinnate leaves, greenish flowers, and greenish white berries and produces an irritating oil

called also poison dogwood

Examples of poison sumac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But unlike poison ivy and oak, poison sumac's leaves grow in pairs. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 29 July 2023 Poison ivy is in the Toxicodendron genus of plants, which also includes other notoriously itchy flora, like poison oak and poison sumac. Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, 11 July 2023 For example, check out Boericke & Tafel’s Oral Ivy Liquid ($15 for a 1-ounce bottle on Amazon.com), a homeopathic product that is made from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Steven Salzberg, Forbes, 25 July 2022 This sap, which is also found in poison oak and poison sumac, is called urushiol and can cause a severe rash that lingers for weeks. Rachel Nall, Msn, SELF, 15 July 2022 While poison sumac is mostly found in the northeastern part of the state, the plant loves to live in swamps, bogs and wet areas. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 The oil in poison sumac makes all parts of the plant toxic, and creates symptoms such as itchiness, burning, redness and blistering. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2021 The three likeliest culprits for skin irritation or rashes from outside plants are: poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac. Madison Yauger, Health.com, 28 June 2021 The sap from a poison oak plant-along with poison ivy and poison sumac plants-is what triggers the allergic reaction, that typically shows up a few hours to a few days after exposure. Madison Yauger, Health.com, 28 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poison sumac.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poison sumac was in 1737

Dictionary Entries Near poison sumac

Cite this Entry

“Poison sumac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poison%20sumac. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

poison sumac

noun
: a swamp shrub related to poison ivy and causing a similar rash but having leaves with 7 to 13 leaflets

Medical Definition

poison sumac

noun
poison su·​mac -ˈs(h)ü-ˌmak How to pronounce poison sumac (audio)
: an American swamp shrub of the genus Rhus (R. vernix synonym Toxicodendron vernix) that has smooth pinnate leaves, greenish flowers, and greenish white berries and produces an irritating oil

called also poison dogwood

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