ExplorePlants

smooth sumac

Rhus glabra

Smooth sumac is a tall shrub with bright green leaves that turn red in the fall. It grows in clusters and can be found in sunny places, making it a beautiful sight in nature.

Habitat: Open fields

Appearance

The smooth sumac is a deciduous shrub with smooth, hairless stems and pinnately compound leaves. It has upright, conical clusters of fuzzy red berries and vibrant orange-red fall foliage that truly stands out.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyAnacardiaceaeGenusRhus
smooth sumac
deciduous trait badgeornamental trait badgeshrub trait badgefruit_bearing trait badge
smooth sumac

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its name 'sumac' might come from an ancient word meaning 'red', for its fiery fall leaves!

Native Americans used sumac parts for medicine, food, and even dyes for clothing!

Unlike its poisonous cousin, smooth sumac is totally safe and a wild edible!

You can find tiny, tart crystals on its berries, making them taste like natural sour candy!

Special abilities

Ability

Root Spreader

Smooth sumac can spread by underground roots, forming dense thickets that help it quickly regrow after a fire.

Ability

Drought Master

Smooth sumac has deep roots, allowing it to survive and thrive even in dry, rocky soils where other plants struggle.

Ability

Winter Feast

Smooth sumac has dense clusters of fuzzy red berries, providing a crucial food source for birds during winter months.

Measurements & details

Height
200-500 cm
Spread
100-250 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.5 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Feasts on tart sumac berries, especially in winter.

eaten by

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Browses sumac leaves and twigs, particularly when food is scarce.

pollinates

European Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Visits small sumac flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

One of many native bees that pollinate smooth sumac flowers.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Avoid eating any berries or plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is smooth sumac?

200-500 cm

How wide does smooth sumac spread?

100-250 cm

How big are the flowers on smooth sumac?

0.2-0.5 cm

When does smooth sumac bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is smooth sumac edible?

Yes

Is smooth sumac toxic?

None

What is smooth sumac's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is smooth sumac pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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