Vick, Albert F. W.
Rhus copallinum L.
Winged sumac, Shining sumac, Flameleaf sumac, Mountain sumac, Dwarf sumac
Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)
Winged sumac is a large,
deciduous shrub or small
tree, 20-35 ft. tall, with short, crooked trunks and open branching. Glossy, dark-green, pinnately
compound leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall. Yellowish-green flowers are succeeded by drooping,
pubescent, pyramidal
fruit clusters which turn dull red and persist through winter. It is easily distinguishable from other sumacs by the winged leaf axis and watery sap. Often forms thickets.
Image Gallery:
20 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Native Distribution: S. ME to s. MI & MO, s. to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Dry hillsides; open woods; prairies; thickets Found in scrub on limestone outcrops and rocky slopes, prairies, plains, and in sandy woodlands
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rocky, poor soils.
Conditions Comments: Shining sumac is a very ornamental sumac. Because of its large, spreading habit, is not suited to small areas.
Native sumacs are important wildlife plants, providing winter food for many upland gamebirds, songbirds, and large and small mammals. They are fast growing, generally pest and disease-free, and drought-tolerant. Colonies are often single-sexed, formed from a single, suckering parent. Only female plants produce berries, which are not as showy as those of R. typhina and R. glabra.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Winged Sumac is sometimes planted as an ornamental for its shiny leaves and showy fruit.
Use Wildlife: Winter food for many upland gamebirds, songbirds, and large and small mammals. Wildlife eat the
fruit, and deer also browse the twigs.
Use Food: The sour
fruit can be nibbled or made into a drink like lemonade.
Attracts: Birds
2012-10-15
