· demystify the sumac genus. · sumac comes in many different varieties, and people often confuse poison sumac with staghorn sumac. There are several key visual differences, growing conditions, and leaf arrangements that can help distinguish between the two. Yes, some varieties are poisonous , but many are not, and it’s not difficult to distinguish them. Sumac is a fairly common plant, and you were probably taught for years that it is poisonous and should be avoided. · both plants are tall shrubs with colorful fall foliage, though one is toxic and one is not. We will also share information to help you identify these plants and make good use of the hardy, colorful, useful harmless sumac. Read on to learn more. It is important to know how to tell the difference between sumac and poison sumac in order to avoid accidental exposure to the toxic plant. · while staghorn sumac produces edible red blossoms commonly seen along roadsides, its dangerous cousin poison sumac contains skin-irritating urushiol and grows in wet areas. Key identifying features set them apart. Learn the critical visual differences between safe, edible varieties and the dangerous poison sumac species. These two plants are related, but one causes a rash if touched, and the other doesn’t. · in this article, we will discuss the differences between the poison sumac bush and its harmless cousins. Poison sumac has white berries and smooth bark, while staghorn sumac has red berries and fuzzy-looking bark, among other differences. Now, however, we are getting back to discovering the truth behind this plant.