fragrant sumac

Rhus aromatica

Fragrant sumac is a small shrub with bright green leaves that smell sweet when you touch them. In the fall, its leaves turn beautiful shades of red and orange, making it a lovely sight in nature.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The fragrant sumac is a low-growing shrub with distinctive three-part leaves that turn vibrant shades of orange, red, and purple in fall. It has clusters of small, yellowish-green flowers in spring, followed by fuzzy, bright red berries that persist into winter.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyAnacardiaceaeGenusRhus

Photo: Bruce MarlinCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

fragrant sumac

Interesting facts

Crush its leaves and you'll smell a wonderfully fresh, lemony scent!

Its tart red berries are used to make a refreshing, pink 'sumac-ade' drink!

The fuzzy berries are called drupes and are packed with Vitamin C!

This super tough shrub can grow where other plants can't, like rocky, poor soil!

Special abilities

Fragrant sumac has deep, spreading roots that help it find water and survive in very dry places.

Its extensive root system firmly holds soil in place, preventing erosion on slopes and hillsides.

Its bright red berries stay on the plant through winter, providing a vital food source for birds.

Measurements & details

Height: 60-250 cm
Spread: 120-300 cm
Flower Size: 0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen

Eaten by

American robin

Turdus migratorius

Eats persistent winter berries

Eaten by

white-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Browses on leaves and twigs

Shelter

white-footed mouse

Peromyscus leucopus

Hides among its dense branches

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Fall Color

Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.

Grassland

Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify fragrant sumac?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is fragrant sumac?

60-250 cm

How wide does fragrant sumac spread?

120-300 cm

How big are the flowers on fragrant sumac?

0.2-0.5 cm

When does fragrant sumac bloom?

Spring

Is fragrant sumac edible?

Yes

Is fragrant sumac toxic?

None