Hi,
I write the website AskaNaturalist.com, where readers write with letters about nature and I try to find the answers. A reader from South Carolina recently wrote to ask me if something growing in her lawn is poison sumac. It’s definitely not poison sumac, but I don’t know what it is. I’m wondering if you can help me. Thank you in advance,
Tom Pelletier
tom@askanaturalist.com
Hi Tom,
this is called Ampelopsis arborea, or peppervine. It is rather common in the southeastern and southern states and has been mistaken for poison ivy at times, but it is more closely related to grapes. Here is a lot of information on the plant: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/2008/jan08/Peppervine.html
Sincerely,
Steve Hill, Botanist, SCNPS