Southeastern Poison Oak vs Fragrant Sumac
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These two low-growing shrubs are easily confused: they have similar leaves and a large area of range overlap. They are easily distinguished by examining whether the central leaflet of each leaf has a stalk, and also by their fruit.
Southeastern Poison Oak (Toxicodendron pubescens) | Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) |
A low-growing, rhizomatous shrub favoring dry, infertile soils, native to the southeastern to south-central US. | A sprawling deciduous shrub, often growing wider than tall. |
References & External Resources
These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.
