Native Plants

Plant Database

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Cressler, Alan

Rhus aromatica var. aromatica

Rhus aromatica Aiton var. aromatica

Fragrant Sumac

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)

Synonym(s): Rhus aromatica var. illinoensis, Schmaltzia crenata

USDA Symbol: RHARA2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Fragrant sumac is an irregular, spreading, deciduous shrub, 6-12 ft. tall, with velvety twigs and lower branches turned up at the tips. Glossy, somewhat blue-green, coarsely toothed, trifoliate leaves turn orange, red, purple and yellow in the fall. Yellowish catkin-like flowers precede dark-red berries which persist into March. A sprawling, small to medium-size shrub with aromatic foliage.

A state-listed Special Concern species in Connecticut.

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate
Fruit Type: Drupe
Autumn Foliage: yes

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV
Canada: ON , QC

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rhus aromatica var. aromatica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rhus aromatica var. aromatica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhus aromatica var. aromatica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2014-10-22
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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