Rhus typhina L. Datisca hirta L. nom. utique rej. Rhus hirta (L.) Sudw. nom. utique rej. Rhus typhina L. var. laciniata Alph. Wood Datisca hirta L. Rhus hirta (L.) Sudw. 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. Identification: Staghorn sumac is a small tree, commonly 10' (3 m) tall, up to 30' (9.1 m). Leaves up to 24" (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:
Rhus typhina on Missouriplants.com Rhus typhina on iamcountryside.com Rhus typhina on plants.ces.ncsu.edu Rhus typhina at the North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension Rhus typhina on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants Rhus typhina at the Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation Rhus typhina on plants.ces.ncsu.edu Rhus typhina at the University of Connecticut Plant Database Rhus typhina at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Rhus typhina on the USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database Rhus typhina in Paghat's Garden References:
Leaf undersides, showing aphid galls · 8/19/2018 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts Leaf undersides, showing aphid galls · 8/19/2018 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts 7/18/2010 · Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle, Massachusetts 9/18/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine 8/7/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts Male flowers. · 6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts 6/19/2011 · New Jersey 11/17/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts 1See Peterson, Lee Allen, Peterson Field Guides Edible Wild Plants of Eastern/Central North America, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977, p. 186 2Recipe is on countrysidemag.com Rhus typhina description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020. © FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved. |
Berries can last all winter. · 11/29/2008 · Yellow Trail from Pearl Hill State Park to Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts 7/31/2016 · Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 7/9/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts Male flowers. · 6/21/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts 7/15/2012 · Slipway Restaurant, Thomaston, Maine A broken branch · 8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts 9/18/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine 9/20/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine Male flowers. · 6/21/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts Aphid gall · 9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine 10/1/2017 · Burns Hill Trail, Burns-Holland Farm, Milford, New Hampshire Female flowers. · 6/8/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts 6/22/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts Range: Zones 3-9:
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