Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac
(Rhus typhina 'Laciniata')
Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)
▲▼ clump of trees
▲ foliage
Rhus tyhina ‘Laciniata:’ Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac
Location on campus: in raised bed southeast of Plaster Student Union, near northeast corner of Carrington Hall; in retention basin area at corner of Grand and National, near east end of Lot 24.
· leaves deciduous, alternate, pinnately compound with 13-27 leaflets; leaf is 1-2' long, each leaflet is 2-5" long and 1-2" wide; light green above and glaucous below; in species, leaflets have serrate margins,
· ‘Laciniata’ cultivar leaflets are deeply lobed, often bipinnately compound, to appear fern-like; bright orange fall color
· stems are stout, fuzzy pubescent (like a stag horn), reddish-orange to brown; pith is large and brown; stems aromatic when broken
· bark is grayish, lightly fissured/plated on older stems
· fruit is attractive crimson terminal clusters of drupesC lemon-tasting tea can be made from them
· grows 15-20' tall with flattish crown, can spread by root suckers to form large colony
· prefers full sun and well-drained soils to dry soils; does not tolerate wet soils
· fast growth from new suckers, slow growth on existing stems
· species is native to northwestern Missouri
· other Sumac species for landscaping use:
o Shining Sumac, Dwarf Sumac, Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina): has leafy wings on rachis of leaf and shiny leaf surfaces; bright red fall color; similar to staghorn sumac in growth habit
o Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra): similar to staghorn sumac, but less pubescent, more glaucous stems; bright red/orange/purple fall color
o Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina): regular species with serrate margins and pubescent new growth twigs
o first two above are native to Missouri