Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database


Rhus glabra (Smooth Sumac)

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass Rosidae

Order Sapindales

Family Anacardiaceae – Sumac family

Genus Rhus L. – sumac

Species Rhus glabra L. – smooth sumac

A fine, deciduous shrub, Smooth Sumac grows 9-12.'

The deep green leaves are alternate and compound with many long, sharply toothed leaflets and pale undersides.

They turn a brilliant scarlet in autumn.

This species is found across North America (USDA 2-10) and is an excellent pioneer species in a disturbed area.

It is exceptionally drought and heat tolerant and does not require a fertile soil to become established.

Birds love the bright red, fuzzy seeds which grow in erect clusters of as many as 700 individual fruits and persist throughout the winter.

The fruits are edible and have medicinal properties.

Perfect for native gardens.

   
     
 
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