sumac vénéneux
masculine
Poison ivy in French is sumac vénéneux. Wiktionary also lists herbe à puce.
Meaning: one of several ivy-like urushiol-producing plants (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| sumac vénéneux | masculine |
| herbe à puce | Quebec, feminine |
The term refers to one of several ivy-like urushiol-producing plants (noun).
Which one should you use?
While sumac vénéneux is the standard term used in much of the French-speaking world, herbe à puce is the preferred term in Quebec.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term herbe à puce is commonly used for poison ivy.
How does it change in a sentence?
sumac vénéneux is a masculine noun, while herbe à puce is a feminine noun.
Did you know?
- In French, there is a subtle distinction between vénéneux and venimeux. While vénéneux describes plants that are poisonous to eat or touch, venimeux is used for animals that inject venom, like snakes.
- The Quebecois term herbe à puce literally translates to 'herb for the flea'.
- The plant known as sumac vénéneux is actually a botanical relative of the cashew nut.
Examples in context
- J'ai malheureusement attrapé de l'herbe à puce lors de ma dernière randonnée.Unfortunately, I caught poison ivy on my last hiking trip.
- Il y a du sumac vénéneux dans le jardin.There is poison ivy in the garden.
- Fais attention au sumac vénéneux sur ce sentier.Watch out for the poison ivy on this trail.
- Le sumac vénéneux peut causer de fortes démangeaisons.Poison ivy can cause severe itching.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are walking in the woods.
- EmmaNathan, ne touche pas cette plante !Nathan, don't touch that plant!
- NathanPourquoi ? Qu'est-ce que c'est ?Why? What is it?
- EmmaC'est du sumac vénéneux, c'est dangereux.It is poison ivy, it is dangerous.
- NathanOh, merci de m'avoir prévenu, Emma.Oh, thanks for warning me, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poison ivy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
