Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Anacardiaceace (Cashew Family)
▲ trifolilate leaves and elongated, scaled flower buds for next year
▲ fruit
▲▼ plants in fall color
Location on campus: along east side of sidewalk south of Ellis Hall, east of Craig Hall; also in raised planting bed at southeast corner of landscaping area south of Plaster Student Union
Rhus aromatica: Fragrant Sumac
· leaves deciduous, alternate, trifoliate, dark green in color; leaflets ovate 2-3" long and about 2/3 as wide, with shallowly lobed or coarsely toothed margins; top surface of leaves is shiny
· fall color is often bright orange or red
· flowers not significant, but elongated cone-like male flower buds apparent on winter twigs
· stems are tan to brown and fragrant when bruised
· size is about 6' tall and wide, sometimes smaller
· grows in full sun to nearly full shade (more compact and fully branched in sun) and prefers acid, well-drained soils, but adaptable
· slow to medium growth rate
· native to Missouri