Sumac
ExplorePlants
Sumac
Ginglymodesmus sumac
Sumac is a shrub with bright red leaves in the fall. It grows in fields and along roadsides, adding color to the landscape.
Habitat: Fields, Roadsides
Appearance
The Sumac is a shrub or small tree, easily recognized by its vibrant green, compound leaves that transform into spectacular shades of fiery red, orange, or purple in autumn. It typically bears upright clusters of fuzzy red or maroon berries.
KingdomPlantaePhylumArthropodaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyAnacardiaceaeGenusRhus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its bright red berry clusters often stay on the plant through winter!
Sumac is a super tough plant that can grow in really dry, poor soils.
The word 'Sumac' comes from an ancient Aramaic word that means 'red'!
You can make a tangy, lemonade-like drink from its fuzzy red berries!
Special abilities
Ability
Sour Berry Power
Sumac has fuzzy red berries containing malic acid, which helps it attract animals to disperse its seeds after eating them.
Ability
Fiery Foliage
Sumac leaves create dazzling autumn colors, helping them capture sunlight efficiently before shedding for winter to conserve energy.
Ability
Underground Spreader
Sumac can spread by underground stems called rhizomes, which helps it form dense thickets and colonize new areas quickly.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-600 cm
- Spread
- 100-500 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
Feeds on sumac berries in winter.
eaten by
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Consumes sumac berries as a food source.
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from sumac flowers.
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Browses on sumac leaves and twigs.
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.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
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.
Also known as
Sumac Tree
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Enjoy looking at sumac, but avoid touching it as some species may cause skin irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Sumac?
100-600 cm
How wide does Sumac spread?
100-500 cm
How big are the flowers on Sumac?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Sumac bloom?
Summer
Is Sumac edible?
Yes
Is Sumac toxic?
None
What is Sumac's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Sumac pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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