See more
Is Rhus the same as sumac?
sumac, (genus Rhus), genus of shrubs and small trees belonging to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), native to temperate and subtropical zones. Sumacs have been used as a source of dyes, medicines, and beverages, and the dried fruits of some species are used as a spice in Middle Eastern cuisine.
What is the common name for Rhus?
Rhus spp. are commonly known as sumac and grow in temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world.
Are sumac trees good for anything?
Also known as Tanner's sumac or Sicilian sumac, this species has a number of historical practical uses. The dried fruits are used in spices, the leaves and bark have been used in the leather tanning process, and various dyes can be made from different parts of the plant.
Is Rhus sumac poisonous?
Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) looks similar to poison sumac, but is nonallergenic (doesn't cause an allergic reaction). Winged sumac can be distinguished from poison sumac by its 9–23 leaflets and red berries. The most widespread sumac — staghorn sumac — is non-poisonous.
Is the Rhus tree poisonous?
Is Rhus typhina poisonous? Rhus typhina has no toxic effects reported.
What is the fruit of the Rhus tree?
Fruit are: pale brown or fawn. hard with a papery skin and contain one seed. 5–11 mm in diameter. in clusters.
Should I remove sumac tree?
If sumac is intermingled with other non-target plants, mechanical removal may be preferred to chemical control. Sumac should be cut twice, once in July and once in August. Cutting at the appropriate time is crucial for effective control.
Should I cut down sumac trees?
Controlling Sumac Without Chemicals Cutting down the tree or mowing the stems is sometimes recommended as a control, but a cut sumac stem can produce many new shoots. A method for controlling sumac without chemicals that's sometimes recommended is to mow the shoots in midsummer and then again in late summer.
What is the lifespan of a sumac tree?
Short lifespan, rarely surviving 50 years. The spreading root system perpetuates the plant over the years, as it suckers and spreads to form large colonies.
What happens if you touch sumac?
The allergic reaction to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac is usually contact dermatitis. This may happen 24 to 72 hours after exposure. The dermatitis is characterized by bumps and blisters that itch. Sometimes, swelling happens in the area of contact.
Can you touch a sumac tree?
Because urushiol is inside the plant, brushing against an intact plant will not cause a reaction. But undamaged plants are rare. Urushiol can stick to tools, shoes, clothes, or anything. Just touching them could cause a reaction in a susceptible person.
How do you prune Rhus?
If you are concerned at containing your rhus in its place you can prune it back hard each year to around 1-2ft from ground level. This may reduce its flowering potential. Suckers can be dug up and removed or destroyed as necessary.
What is the common name for Rhus Toxicodendron?
poison ivyRhus toxicodendron is a homeopathic remedy. It's also known as poison ivy. Other names include Toxicodendron pubescens and Toxicodendron radicans.
Does sumac have another name?
Sumac is a Middle Eastern spice made from drying flesh and skin of the fruit from the sumac trees. It's also known as Elm Leaved Sumac, Sicilian Sumac, Sumach and Sumak. It adds a vibrant deep redish purple colour and a fresh lemony zesty flavour.
What is another name for Rhus aromatica?
fragrant sumacRhus aromatica, the fragrant sumac, is a deciduous shrub in the family Anacardiaceae native to North America. It is found in southern Canada (Alberta to Quebec) and nearly all of the lower 48 states except peninsular Florida.
What is the common name of poison sumac?
thunderwoodToxicodendron vernix, commonly known as poison sumac, or swamp-sumach, is a woody shrub or small tree growing to 9 metres (30 feet) tall. It was previously known as Rhus vernix. This plant is also known as thunderwood, particularly where it occurs in the southern United States.
What is a rhus aromatica?
Rhus aromatica. Toxicodendron. Uses: An ornamental garden tree. In Japan, the tree is cultivated for the fruits from which a wax (sumach wax) is extracted for use in varnishes, polishes, ointments, and plasters. Allergens:
What is the most common cause of contact dermatitis?
In susceptible individuals, these compounds trigger a type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction, a bullous allergic contact dermatitis. Toxicodendron dermatitis is the most common cause of contact dermatitis in the United States, exceeding all other causes combined (usually due to contact with Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) or Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum).
How many species of toxicodendron are there?
There are 15 species of Toxicodendron native to China, at least 8 to Malaysia/Indonesia, and 6 to the Western hemisphere, although they have been introduced elsewhere as exotics. Most Toxicodendron are small trees, shrubs or vines with compound leaves, the exception being T. borneense which has simple leaves.
What are the three main allergenic toxicodendrons?
In the Southern Pacific, the three main allergenic toxicodendron are T. striatum, T. succedaneum, and T. vernicifluum. Toxicodendron succedaneum is a large shrub or tree, up to 8 m tall, somewhat similar to a sumac tree. The leaves turn orange, red or scarlet in autumn.
How many petals does a poison tree have?
The flowers are generally asexual with 5 sepals (or calyx lobes), five petals, and five stamens. The ovary has 1 locule, with a short style and three stigmas. All produce the skin-irritating oil urushiol, which can cause a severe allergic reaction; hence the scientific name which means ‘poison tree’.
How big do staghorn sumac trees get?
Staghorn sumacs grow between 15 and 25 ft. (4.5 – 7.6 m) tall and up to 30 ft. (9 m) wide. The small tree has an open, spreading crown.
What color are the leaves of a fragrant sumac tree?
Fragrant sumac leaves grow up to 3” (7.5 cm) long. In the fall, fragrant sumac leaves turn shades of orange, red, or reddish-purple. Fragrant sumac fruit and leaves. Sumac berries: Fragrant sumac berries are small and red with a hairy appearance.
How long are the leaves of a sumac tree?
Sumac leaves grow between 16” and 24” (40 – 60 cm) long. Although most sumac species leaves are pinnate leaves, some species of sumacs have broad leaves with shallow lobing. For example, leaves on the fragrant sumac ( Rhus aromatica) have a broadly ovate shape and only have three leaflets per compound leaf.
What is a sumac tree?
Sumac (genus Rhus) is a group of flowering small trees and shrubs. Sumacs are identified by their fern-like pinnate leaves, conical clusters (panicles) of white or green flowers, and fuzzy red berries. In the fall, sumac trees and shrubs turn brilliant autumn shades of red, orange, or purple. Trees and shrubs in the genus Rhus grow between 3 ...
How to identify a sumac tree?
Identify sumac trees by looking at the leaves, flowers, and berries. Sumacs have large, characteristic fern-like leaves made up of 3 to 31 leaflets. Another identifying feature of sumacs is their cone-shaped white or green flower panicles, 24” (60 cm) long that mature into clusters of red fuzzy berries.
How fast does a sumac tree grow?
Hardy sumac trees, like the staghorn sumac, have a fast growth rate—growing as much as 24” (60 cm) a year.
What is the name of the evergreen sumac tree?
Also called Lambrisco or Lentrisco, the evergreen sumac is identified by 2-inch (5-cm) clusters of white flowers growing at the end of branches. Fuzzy red oval drupes appear in early fall.
What is a rhus tree?
Rhus typhina (Syn. R. hirta) is a large tree like shrub with brown down covered branches that resemble dear antlers, hence its common name the stag's horn sumach. It has upright clusters of greenish-white flowers that turn to a rich velvety textured red.
What is a copallina?
R. copallina (dwarf sumach) is a small upright shrub with long pointed leaves that turn reddish-purple in the autumn. The small yellow/green summer flowers transform into bright red fruits. Height to 4ft (1.2m).
What is a rhus?
Rhus. A group of small deciduous trees and shrubs with showy fruits and good autumn colour. In fact, the spectacular fiery autumn show is one of the main reasons this plant is so popular in the UK. Family: Anacardiaceae (cashew or sumac family)
What is the color of a stag's horn sumach?
Stag’s horn sumach, Rhus typhina, is spectacular in autumn when its foliage turns fiery orange , gold, scarlet or purple. The effect is greater when set against the dense cones of red fruit borne by female plants. Rhus typhina has finely divided foliage, turning orange and red before falling in autumn.
Can Rhus typhina be grown in a tub?
Rhus typhina is prone to producing suckers but these can be mown off in lawns, or plants may be grown in large tubs. When dug up rooted suckers are an easy way to propagate new plants.
How tall do sumac trees grow?
Smooth sumac ( Rhus glabra) and staghorn sumac ( R. typhina) are the most common and readily available landscape species. Both grow 10 to 15 feet (3-5 m.) tall with a similar width, and have bright red fall colors.
What is the color of Prairie Flameleaf Sumac?
Prairie flameleaf sumac ( R. lanceolata) is a Texas native that is only hardy to zone 6. It grows as a 30 foot (9 m.) tree. The fall color is red and orange. This species is very heat tolerant.
Why are staghorn sumacs so popular?
You can differentiate the species by the fact that the branches of staghorn sumac have a furry texture. They make excellent wildlife shrubs because they provide shelter and food for birds and small mammals. Both species grow well in containers, where they stay much smaller.
How to make a refreshing drink from staghorn sumac?
You can make a refreshing beverage that resembles lemonade from the berries of smooth or staghorn sumac. Here are the instructions: Gather about a dozen large clusters of berries. Squeeze and mash them into a bowl containing about a gallon (3.8 L.) of cold water.
What color is sumac?
Increasing numbers of gardeners are growing sumac in the landscape for its striking fall color. Most species have leaves that turn bright red in fall, but there are also yellow and orange sumac varieties for gardens.
How tall is Sumac?
Grow it as a shrub or remove the lower limbs and grow it as a small tree. It reaches a height of 8 to 12 feet (2-4 m.). Evergreen sumac makes a nice, tight hedge or screen. Only the females make flowers and berries.
When do sumac trees bloom?
Sumac trees and shrubs are interesting throughout the year. The show begins with large clusters of flowers in spring, followed by attractive, brilliantly colored fall foliage. The bright red clusters of autumn berries often last into winter. Read on for sumac tree info and growing tips.
What tree has yellow fall foliage?
Poison sumac with yellow fall foliage can rival that of the birch trees .
How tall does poison sumac grow?
Poison sumac grows to be 6 to 20 feet high. The new bark on the branches is relatively smooth. If you learn how to identify the plant by its bark, then you will be able to avoid coming into contact with poison sumac in winter (after it has lost its leaves). You can get a rash from allowing your skin to brush up against poison sumac, even in winter. 1
How many leaflets does poison sumac have?
Poison sumac has leaves made up of 5 to 13 leaflets. While the exact number varies, it is always an odd number. That's because, while most of the leaflets form matching pairs (one across from the other), there's always one lone leaflet at the tip of the compound leaf, which gives it the shape of a feather.
What is poison sumac leaf?
David Beaulieu. The shape of poison sumac leaves is described by botanists as a "pinnately compound.". "Pinnate" means resembling a feather; "compound" means that, instead of one, unified structure, a plant's leaf is really composed of multiple leaflets joined by stems. Poison sumac has leaves made up of 5 to 13 leaflets.
What to wear when working with poison sumac?
If you need to work with poison sumac in your garden, always wear protective clothing: long sleeves and pants, rubber gloves, and boots. Thoroughly hose down your boots and gloves after you’re done in the garden, and immediately wash your clothes. It's ideal to take a shower as well just in case there's some resin on your body. 4
What is the name of the poison Sumac?
Beware of Poison Sumac (Rhus Vernix). University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
When do poison sumac berries start to grow?
Spring and Summer Berries. The Spruce / Autumn Wood. The berries of poison sumac start out green in spring and remain that color for much of the summer. They grow in clusters that are quite distinct from the berry clusters of nonpoisonous sumacs ( Rhus typhina, for example), in terms of color, shape, and texture.
How tall do staghorn sumacs get?
These are Staghorn Sumac, Smooth Sumac, and Shining Sumac. They typically get 10-20’ tall and sucker to form colonies usually about 20-30’ across. All three of the species occupy similar early successional niches in our native ecosystem.
What is a staghorn smac?
Staghorn Sumac has brown, fuzzy, coarse twigs that resemble a buck in velvet. That’s where it gets its common name. The fruit on this species is also fuzzy, with lots of tiny hairs on each berry in its fruit clusters. The Smooth Sumac and Shining Sumac are smooth both on the twigs and the fruits.
What is the color of poison sumac?
In the fall, all the sumacs are beautiful, with foliage colors of magnificent maroon to red and oranges and touches of yellow.
What is the most common sumac?
As you travel northwest from the Milwaukee area and into the central sands region of the state, Shining Sumac is the most common sumac. It prefers acidic soils. Staghorn Sumac is found in lighter soils with little preference for soil pH and ranges farther north than Shining Sumac.
Where is the Staghorn Sumac native to?
Staghorn Sumac, Smooth Sumac, and Shining Sumac are all native to Wisconsin. From what I have seen, Smooth Sumac is the most common species found in the wild in the Southeastern part of the state. It seems to be more tolerant of heavier soils than the other two species.
How tall does a Fragrant Sumac grow?
The species can grow from 2-6’ tall with a spread of 6-10’. The plant is wide spreading and will layer its branches as a method of moving. Fragrant Sumac is extremely variable in size between individuals produced from seed. The cultivar ‘Gro-Low’ was selected by Ralph Synnesvedt of Glenview, Illinois for its low stature.
What is the beauty of sumacs?
There is beauty in the unity created by their repetitive masses over large stretches of land like you see along Milwaukee’s freeways. It’s what makes hundreds of acres of golden wheat next to hundreds of acres of verdant corn a picture of solace. The suckering Sumacs not only form large individual masses but they form mounds that imitate the rolling hills of Wisconsin. They accentuate our beautiful topography and add rich oranges and reds to it each fall. In winter, the reddish—maroon fruit clusters atop the coarse twigs add subtle color and texture to the drab winter landscape.
Why is sumac called staghorn?
Staghorn sumac ( Rhus typhina ), at top, has fuzzy fruit and stems and is named “staghorn” because the fuzzy fruit spike resembles a stag’s horn in velvet. Smooth sumac ( Rhus glabra ), above, is smooth just like its name.
How many sumacs are there in the Rhus?
Three real Rhus sumacs and two imposters.
Is sumac a cashew?
Poison-sumac ( Toxicodendron vernix) is in the cashew family (as is Rhus ) but it’s closely related to poison ivy and causes the same rash. Its stems are smooth, like smooth sumac, but its flowers and fruit are not in dense spikes.
Is Sumac a plant?
And finally there’s a plant we call “sumac” which isn’ t related at all. Tree of Heaven ( Ailanthus altissima) is an invasive tree from China with compound leaves that resemble sumac. However its leaflets are notched, especially at the base, and the tree produces seeds instead of a fruit spike.
