Scientific Name: Toxicodendron species. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is a large deciduous shrub with an open, spreading crown consisting of shiny fern-like leaves, conical greenish-yellow flowers, and dark red berries. If your dog eats poison oak, he may experience some mild upset stomach symptoms. Sumac trees such as the staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), and fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) produce edible red berry-like drupes. All parts of poison sumac -- stems, leaves and roots -- contain urushiol. Sumac leaves: Smooth sumac leaves are large, dark green compound leaves consisting of 11 to 31 pointed leaflets. .bdixz642ee61812c5b { The Most Deadliest Plants .bdixz642ee61812c5b { But staghorn sumac is not poisonous. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. A reaction can be mild to severe. } Nevertheless, it helps to know what to do if your dog does come into contact with one of them. Sumac trees are known for their bright red, berry-like drupes that grow in large cone-like clusters. But it is easy to tell edible sumacs apart from the poison If urushiol gets on your dog, you'll want to get rid of it without delay by bathing your dog: Benadryl and coconut oil can help soothe your dog's itchiness. The shape of poison sumac leaves is described by botanists as a "pinnately compound." It is difficult to control dog itching (it occurs when the dog scratches, licks, or bites its skin). When used in conjunction with Urushiol, it can cause a rash on the skin that is itchy and allergic. Littleleaf Sumac (Rhus microphylla)This sumac species has the smallest leaves from all the plant varieties in the genus Rhus. All parts of poison sumac are poisonous. The fast-growing evergreen sumac grows between 8 and 12 ft. (2.4 3.6 m) tall with spreading branches. A rash can appear after a few days of exposure and is caused by an allergic reaction. Its not uncommon to see sumac shrubs or trees with deep orange colors or warm yellow shades. If poison sumacs are found in their typical wetland habitat, they can grow to be quite large. When a dog comes into contact with sumac, it can cause a rash. Sumac trees and shrubs grow in most soil types and are often seen growing in dry and poor soil. } Consuming the plant can cause stomach upset as well. The small tree has an open, spreading crown. One key to proper identificationis studying the shrub's individual plant parts: You increase your odds of identification if you know what all of these plant parts look like, rather than knowing the appearance of just one. Scrub carpets with a carpet cleaner. Sumac trees such as the staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), and fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) produce edible red berry-like drupes. Staghorn sumacs grow between 15 and 25 ft. (4.5 7.6 m) tall and up to 30 ft. (9 m) wide. A rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac looks like patches or streaks of red, raised blisters. Lets look at some of the identifying features of other trees and shrubs in the sumac family of flowering woody plants. Can Dogs Get Poison Ivy? Massage the shampoo into your pet's coat well, creating a lather. A reaction can be mild to severe. This feature means that sumacs can grow as multi-stemmed shrubs if you dont remove the suckers. However, the plant oils should be removed from the pet's coat to avoid transmission. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Only skin areas that were directly in contact with urushiol will develop the rash. If your dog consumes a lot of the plant, it may develop a more severe case of diarrhea and vomiting. Also called the flameleaf sumac or prairie flameleaf, the landscape plant has greenish-white flowers and dark red fruits. Identify sumac trees by looking at the leaves, flowers, and berries. I think my dog might have eaten african sumac. Urushiol is also found in poison oak and sumac. Removing the plants can take a lot of work, so may want to hire a professional gardening service to do it for you. The presence of urushio in dogs and cats is usually harmless. Wash pet bedding, clothing, towels used for bathing, and other materials that can be laundered using the hottest water possible and extra detergent. The berries of poison sumac start out green in spring and remain that color for much of the summer. Remove all parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and roots. A second key to successful identification is learning what the plant looks like from season to season, so you can recognize it when you encounter it during various months. Additionally, poison sumac twigs are smooth, not hairy like typical sumacs. However, with the beauty of nature comes potential hazards, such as poisonous plants like poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Trees and shrubs in the genus Rhus grow between 3 and 33 ft. (1 10 m). Plant oils, on the other hand, should be removed from the coat of the pet in order to avoid infecting humans. The outer leaves are ovate, and the larger middle leaf is typically spatula-shaped. If you are unsure whether a plant or seed is safe for your dog, call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. WebPoison Sumac. Only humans suffer an allergic response -- urushiol does not affect wild animals and pets. Although dogs are not nearly as susceptible to poison oak, ivy, or sumac as humans, they can develop allergic reactions to these toxic plants. } The new bark on the branches is relatively smooth. .bdixz642ee61812c5b { Sumac are popular landscaping trees that grow as beautiful hedges, borders, or screens. This condition usually resolves itself on its own within a few weeks. Sumac flowers are tiny, five-petaled blossoms that form conical, creamy-white or green clusters. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting diarrhea drooling shaking tremors seizures and death. A mild toxin is usually not harmful to health. All parts of the African sumac tree are poisonous to dogs including the leaves stems flowers and berries. Like all edible sumac fruit, the berries have a furry appearance and tangy, citrusy taste. Leaves on sumac trees are identified as pinnately compound, glossy green leaves that look like fern leaves. By providing my mobile number, I agree to receive 2-4 text messages per month from the ASPCA, which may include requests for charitable donations. } Symptoms of a poison sumac rash appear 848 hours after exposure and can last for weeks. Birds and other wildlife even eat the berries from poison sumac plants. Once you get the rash, you can have it for up to three weeks. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac contain a type of sap or oil called urushiol that may trigger an allergic reaction when it comes in contact with the skin. Grow sumac trees in USDA zones 3 to 9. Poison ivy, unlike humans, does not spread to dogs as quickly. Some people are more sensitive to the plants and will have harsher symptoms.01-Jun-2017. Like all sumac varieties, fragrant sumac shrubs are cold-hardy plants that survive in USDA zone 3 to 9. The stems of poison sumac leaves further help us to identify the plant. Urushiol is extremely potent; the tiniest amount can produce a nasty rash. However, severe allergic reactions can happen, including life-threatening anaphylactic shock, oozing blisters and scabs, and excessive biting or scratching. } Be aware that urushiol can rub off on inanimate objects, such as your clothes. These plants can cause severe skin irritation, itching, and discomfort in dogs, and in some cases, even lead to serious health It is organized into three categories; mechanically injurious plants, photosensitizers, and plants poisonous by ingestion. The poison sumac is a weed found in a number of states across the country. However, the rash can get worse if it becomes infected. In addition, they might give them a cream that will help with the rash. You may be given IV antibiotics and possibly painkillers. Many birds, including quail, treat the berries as a food source in winter. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); @media screen and (min-width: 1201px) { This hairless bark and twigs can make smooth sumac shrubs challenging to tell apart from poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix). If you are unsure whether a plant or seed is safe for your dog, call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. If your dog comes into contact with poison ivy, wash it immediately with soap and water. Avoid ripping or tearing the vines as this will release the oil. Stroking a pet that has come in contact with poison sumac or other urushiol-containing plants may cause redness and swelling on your skin in 12 to 48 hours. If the plant is ingested in large enough quantities, it can also cause liver damage and even death. .bdixz642ee61812c5b { Poison sumac grows to be 6 to 25 feet high. Allergic dermatitis in humans, usually not a problem in animals. As a small shrub, the aromatic sumac grows as thick ground cover for full sun or border plants. When a dog comes into contact with sumac, it can cause a rash. When all of the leaves finally do become the same color, that color can be orange, yellow, or red. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and barrier cream (if needed) when working around poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Most sumacs have fuzzy, velvety bark. 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