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Spotting and Avoiding Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Poison Sumac

From Will Glessner, for About.com

Updated December 04, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

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Poison Sumac

Poison Sumac Leaf Pattern

Poison Sumac Leaf Pattern

Poison Sumac, also known as Swamp Sumac and Poison Elder, also mimics the plants growing nearby.

It’s commonly found as a multi-branched bush, but sometimes as a tree up to 25 feet tall.

T. Vernix has a completely different leaf pattern. Its leaves grow in pairs of 6-12 leaves on a reddish stem with a single leaf at the end.

The leaves have smooth edges that end with a point.

Photo of Poison Sumac

Diagrams of poison oak, ivy, and sumac

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