Smooth Sumac

Rhus glabra

Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)

 

▲▼ colony of mature, flowering plants

▲▼ colony of mature, flowering plants

▲ smooth, waxy stems on smooth sumac

▲▼ flowers

▲▼ flowers

▲▼ fall color

Smooth Sumac:  (pp. 38-39, Weeds of the Great Plains; mentioned on p. 326, Weeds of the Northeast)

·         perennial native shrub or small tree that reproduces by seeds and rhizomes

·         tends to increase in pasture/prairie restorations that include burning—not controlled by burning

·         not grazed by cattle, but can provide cover

·         has pinnately compound, smooth, shiny leaves that turn bright orange to red in fall

·         can distinguish from staghorn sumac by the densely hairy new stem growth on staghorn sumac

·         can distinguish from winged or shining sumac by lack of wings rachis of smooth sumac