shining sumac
ExplorePlants
shining sumac
Rhus copallinum
Shining sumac is a lovely shrub with shiny leaves that can turn bright red in the fall. It grows in groups and is great for attracting butterflies and birds to your garden.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The shining sumac has glossy, dark green leaves with unique "wings" along the central stem. Its small, yellowish-green flowers form upright clusters, later turning into fuzzy, reddish-brown berry cones that stay on through winter.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyAnacardiaceaeGenusRhus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
34
Interesting facts
In autumn, its leaves transform into an amazing display of fiery red and orange colors!
Its tart red berries can be steeped in water to make a refreshing, lemonade-like drink!
Look closely! Each leaf has little "wings" along its stem, making it easy to identify.
This plant is a "pioneer," often being one of the first to grow in disturbed or open land.
Special abilities
Ability
Soil Spreader
Shining sumac can send out underground stems to quickly grow new plants, helping it colonize open areas.
Ability
Drought Defender
Its tough roots and leaves help it survive in dry, sandy, or poor soil where many other plants struggle.
Ability
Winter Snack Shack
This sumac produces bright red, tart berries that provide crucial food for birds when other sources are scarce.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 200-800 cm
- Spread
- 200-600 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
eats winter berries
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on leaves
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
visits flowers for nectar
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Dwarf SumacShiny Sumac
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless an adult says it's safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify shining sumac?
The easiest way to identify shining sumac is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is shining sumac?
200-800 cm
How wide does shining sumac spread?
200-600 cm
How big are the flowers on shining sumac?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does shining sumac bloom?
Summer
Is shining sumac edible?
Yes
Is shining sumac toxic?
None
What is shining sumac's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Jun 6, 2026
Ocean City Residential Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Peter A. Greenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 4, 2026
St. Augustine Town Plan Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Karen M. Janszen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 4, 2026
St. Augustine Town Plan Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Karen M. Janszen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 31, 2026
Arrowmont School of Arts and Craftsi
Photo attribution
(c) Nick Kleinschmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 31, 2026
Arrowmont School of Arts and Craftsi
Photo attribution
(c) Nick Kleinschmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
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Camp Evans
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