The Poison Sumac

    The wetland plant that I chose to do a report on is the Poison Sumac.  The Poison Sumac is a shrub or small tree that has medium sized green leaves. Its leafstalks are usually a reddish color. When they are young, the wood that they contain is green and when they get older, the wood turns brownish. The average height for the Sumac is 25 inches. The average diameter is 6 inches. Poison Sumacs start to flower in the spring, and they start to lose their flowers in the late fall. They look like little, waxy, white berries. When Old Man winter arrives, Poison Sumacs have no leaves remaining on them.
     Poison Sumacs can be found in bogs and swamps throughout the world.  They are considered one of the most dangerous plants in North America.
     Poison Sumacs can produce a black pitch that is very toxic. If one were to touch, or make any kind of contact with it, the area where it contacted will become itchy and you would get a rash.

 
 
 

                                        Bibliography

Neiring, William A.  Wetlands.  New York:  Chanticleer Press Inc., 1924


This page was created by the Osseo-Fairchild sixth grade students supported by a Cluster A Goals 2000 Grant
Created 4/8/1999     Updated 4/8/1999    sdp

You may contact us at:  spoore@mail.ofsd.k12.wi.us

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