Rhus hirta (L.) Sudw.， nom. utique rej.
Rhus typhina L. var. laciniata Alph. Wood
Rhus typhina L.
Staghorn sumac
Staghorn sumac is native to eastern North America.
Staghorn sumac is a very common plant in its range, often visible on roadsides, at the boundaries of yards, in disturbed or poor soils. The aphid galls on some of these photos are fairly uncommon, and they are definitely not fruits. Aphids secrete chemicals that cause the plant to create a custom aphid nursery.
Plants: A small tree, commonly 10′ (3 m) tall, up to 30′ (9.1 m), often occurring in colonies. Younger stems and branches are very hairy, mature ones are not.
Leaves: Up to 2′ (60 cm) long are composed of serrated leaflets 3–5″ (7.6–12 cm) long. In the fall, the foliage is bright orange-red.
Flowers: Greenish-white, in conical flowerheads.
Fruits: Dense, dark red conical clusters, pointed on the top, velvety-looking, 8–10″ (20–25 cm) long. These are easily visible from a distance, remaining on the tree throughout the winter in many cases, making this a strong identifying feature.
Habitats: Woodland edges, roadsides, railroad embankments and stream/swamp margins.
Edibility: The red sumac fruits can be made into a cold drink, similar to pink lemonade. (Staghorn sumac’s distant relative, poison sumac, is extremely dangerous, sort of poison ivy on steroids. But it grows in wet areas; and its berries are white, hanging in small groups; so these plants are not easily confused.)
Online References:
References:
Datisca hirta L.， nom. utique rej.
Rhus hirta (L.) Sudw.， nom. utique rej.
Rhus typhina L. var. laciniata Alph. Wood
Rhus hirta (L.) Sudw.， nom. utique rej.
Rhus typhina L. var. laciniata Alph. Wood
Leaf undersides, showing aphid galls · 8/19/2018 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
7/18/2010 · Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm) 
7/22/2021 · Mitchell Field, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 3 × 5″ (8.4 × 12 cm) 
9/18/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (56 × 37 cm) 
8/7/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm) 
Male flowers. · 6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts 
6/19/2011 · New Jersey · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm) 
11/17/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) 
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
7/9/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm) 
Male flowers. · 6/21/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 10 × 14″ (26 × 35 cm) 
7/6/2025 · Cross River Preserve, Boothbay, Maine · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm) 
7/28/2024 · Blandsville, Massachusetts 
7/6/2025 · Cross River Preserve, Boothbay, Maine · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
A broken branch · 8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 7″ (14 × 18 cm) 
9/18/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
9/20/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine 
Male flowers. · 6/21/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
Aphid gall · 9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm) 
9/7/2021 · Kennebec River Bridge, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 16 cm) 
Female flowers. · 6/8/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 6″ (13 × 16 cm) 
6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Rosidae | Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more |
| Order | Sapindales | Includes citrus; maples, horse-chestnuts, lychees and rambutans; mangos and cashews; frankincense and myrrh; mahogany and neem |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | Cashew or sumac family |
| Genus | Rhus | From Greek rhous, ancient name for sumac |
| Species | typhina | From Linnaeus’ and Ericus Torner’s description: “Ramis hirtis uti typhi cervini,” meaning “the branches are rough like antlers in velvet” |
Rhus typhina description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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