Soooth sumac, is it a sneeze weed?

[chain]

Some of our Christmas decor is made from wild sources. Pine cones, deciduous holly berries, and American Bittersweet [wife's favorite.] But last week I had found some Smooth sumac with beautiful  velvet-red colored seed-cones...so I brought several in the house and stuck them in a vase with the holly.

Pretty they were and enough for the holiday season I thought. But in a few minutes I began sneezing and...sneezing, couldn't stop and only thought of one thing...the sumac. I threw it out quickly and as quickly, stopped sneezing !

Anyone know about sumac*-sneeze?


* I  incorrectly identified this species as Stag-horn sumac, changed to Smooth sumac. Medicinal values various, treatment for asthma, fevers, astringents, etc.

[Mark Wentzell]

Sumac is considered a  mild allergen but I suppose it is possible to be allergic to it , those clusters do make nice tea though.