Rhus typhina L.
Staghorn sumac
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
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”
About plant names...
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.
Identification: Staghorn sumac is a small tree, commonly
10′ (3 m) tall, up to 30′ (9.1 m). Leaves up to 2′ (60 cm) long are composed of serrated leaflets 3-5″ (7.6-12 cm) long. Younger stems
and branches are very hairy, mature ones are not. Flowers are greenish-white, not very
conspicuous. The fruits are 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. In the
fall, the foliage is bright orange-red.
Edibility: The red sumac fruits can be made into a
cold drink, similar to pink lemonade.[1] [2]
(Staghorn sumac's relative, poison sumac, is extremely dangerous, sort of poison ivy on steroids. But
its berries are white, hanging in small groups, so these plants can't be confused.)
Online References:
Missouriplants.com
Iamcountryside.com
Plants.ces.ncsu.edu
The North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Plants.ces.ncsu.edu
The University of Connecticut Plant Database
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database
in Paghat's Garden
References:
Peterson, Lee Allen, Peterson Field Guides: Edible Wild Plants of Eastern/Central North America , Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977 , p. 186
7/3/2023 · Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Leaf undersides, showing aphid galls · 8/19/2018 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
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)
Berries can last all winter. · 11/29/2008 · Yellow Trail from Pearl Hill State Park to Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts
Older scientific or horticultural names
Datisca hirta L., nom. utique rej.
Rhus hirta (L.) Sudw., nom. utique rej.
Rhus typhina L. var. laciniata Alph. Wood
Rhus typhina description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Sep 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
9/1/2023 · Josephine Newman Sanctuary, Georgetown, Maine
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 × 15″ (26 × 39 cm)
7/15/2012 · Slipway Restaurant, Thomaston, Maine · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 23 cm)
A broken branch · 8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 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)
10/1/2017 · Burns Hill Trail, Burns-Holland Farm, Milford, New Hampshire
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 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)
6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
Range: Zones 3-9:
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