Cashew Family Looks can be deceiving, this is NOT, I repeat, NOT: (a.)Poison Oak (b.)Poison Ivy (c.)Poison Sumac! In fact, it is not poisonous at all! It is related to all of the above, however it does not contain the poisonous oil, called urushiol, that causes the itchy rash in many people. Notice that the middle leaflet does not have the long, reddish petiole (stem) that Poison Ivy has. The flowers had already bloomed and were gone when I found this at Norris Dam State Park in mid-May. The hairy berries of Fragrant Sumac are bright red in the fall. Perennial - Shrub Where seen:Norris Dam SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
Cashew Family Learn how to identify this plant, it grows almost everywhere! All parts of the plant contain the rash-inducing oil, so it should be avoided. Remember the saying: "Leaves of 3, leave it be!" Many other plants have 3 leaflets too, so it is important to know the characteristics of Poison Ivy. The middle leaflet is on a long petiole (leaf stem), the 2 lower leaflets have very short petioles. The petioles (stems) of the lower leaflets are often a reddish color. The older vines are grayish-brown and hairy. Younger vines have smooth, light brown stems. In the fall the berries are a brownish-white. These were found in Oak Ridge. Perennial Where seen: Just about everywhere!
