Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Information Center

Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  David Nichelini
Date Submitted: 6/21/2003
Location: New Mexico (area = El Paso, TX)

Question Asked: We planted a bunch of these plants a couple of years ago for a wind break. We thought they were just a native desert plant. A friend has told us that they may be poison sumac.

Answer: Hi David -

That is a lovely plant. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what it is but I can tell you what it isn't. Poison sumac is a distintive plant with 7 to 13 leaflets per leaf. The fruit is whitish-greenish in color. And most importantly, the plant prefers very soggy conditions- generally bogs, swamps, etc. For all three, poison ivy, oak, and sumac, the fruit is whitish in color and a key indicator in identification. Your plant has lovely reddish-colored berries which is the first tip off.