poison sumac

noun

1. a shrub or small tree, Rhus vernix (or Toxicodendron vernix ), of swampy areas of the eastern U.S., having pinnate leaves and causing severe dermatitis when touched by persons sensitive to it.

Word History and Origins

Origin of poison sumac¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

According to some older studies, poison ivy and its cousins poison oak and poison sumac cause 10 percent of lost-time injuries among U.S.

From Scientific American

Urushiol is what gives poison oak and poison sumac their evil power, too.

From Washington Post

He measured and weighed, pressing the leaves of red currant, poison sumac and many other species for his herbarium.

From Nature

His first mission often had him scoping sidewalks and curbs for smokable cigarette butts - sometimes his skin itchy and eaten up when that night’s woods hideaway dealt him poison sumac.

From Washington Times

There is poison ivy, poison sumac and hogweed, and days spent slushing through the rain and mud leaves them vulnerable as well.

From New York Times