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staghorn sumac

Rhus typhina

Staghorn sumac is a bushy plant with bright red berries and fuzzy, antler-like branches. It grows in sunny spots and is great for attracting birds and butterflies!

Habitat: Open fields and sunny areas

Appearance

The staghorn sumac is a striking plant characterized by its thick, fuzzy branches resembling deer antlers in velvet. It produces dense, upright, cone-shaped clusters of bright red berries that persist through winter. Its large leaves transform into vibrant shades of orange, red, and purple in autumn.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyAnacardiaceaeGenusRhus
staghorn sumac
Photo: The original uploader was Muggwort17 at English Wikipedia .Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
deciduous trait badgeshrub trait badgefruit bearing trait badgeedible trait badge
staghorn sumac

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

18

Interesting facts

Even when winter arrives, its bright red berry clusters often remain, adding color to snowy landscapes!

Its fuzzy branches feel soft like velvet, reminding people of a deer's antlers!

This hardy plant is often one of the first to grow in places where the ground has been disturbed!

You can steep the tart red berries in water to make a refreshing "sumac-ade" drink!

Special abilities

Ability

Pioneer Power

Staghorn sumac can quickly colonize disturbed areas and poor soils, helping other plants grow later.

Ability

Winter Feeder

Staghorn sumac has persistent, tart red berries that provide a crucial food source for birds and small mammals in winter.

Ability

Rhizome Racer

Staghorn sumac can spread extensively underground using rhizomes, allowing it to form dense thickets and expand its territory.

Measurements & details

Height
300-450 cm
Spread
300-600 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Velvet Sumac

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always be careful not to touch the berries too much, as they can be sour!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify staghorn 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 staghorn sumac?

300-450 cm

How wide does staghorn sumac spread?

300-600 cm

When does staghorn sumac bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is staghorn sumac edible?

Yes

Is staghorn sumac toxic?

None

What is staghorn sumac's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is staghorn sumac pollinated?

Insect

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