What is this plant?

[achinback47]

Hello, new to forum, zone 7 in coastal RI, USA. This shrubby weed has been growing as the understory in a wooded section of our back yard for many years. It is deciduous, reaches about 6' high on average, but, as seen in the photos, will grow much taller if undisturbed. Notice the somewhat unusual branching configuration.

Looking for help to i.d. it. Could this be poison sumac?

 

[Mrsclem]

Not sumac. maybe Morrows honeysuckle. Does it get yellow and white flowers in spring?

 

[Tetters]

to the forums @achinback47. That looks like some kind of bush honeysuckle to me.

 

[achinback47]

Thanks both for the responses. This question comes up because, about 3 weeks ago, I cleared out another section of this bush along with some other stuff and a couple of days later developed a rash that looked like poison ivy or suchlike. I am usually very careful around that invader, being somewhat allergic. Lived here 40+ years and never knew what the bush in question was, but thought to ask in case it was poisonous.

Mrsclem- I think it does have flowers as you describe, never paid a lot of attention to it, and there is various other wild greenery that flowers in that patch of woods.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

It may be an invasive honeysuckle.

 

[Silentrunning]

I’m going to guess it’s a Privet. They are highly invasive and the trunks are multi stemmed as in the picture. If it is Privet, make it your new favorite plant because you aren’t going to get rid of it.

 

[achinback47]

Thanks all for the responses.

As mentioned, these bushes have been growing in this area for over 40 years, and of course, like all plants, do their best to grow larger and reproduce. That said, it hasn't been too hard to keep them in check. I asked my opening question just in case they are poisonous and by some miracle I had not been affected in previous encounters.

Now if I can just stay ahead of the oxalis and speedwell that wish to take over our gardens!