plants) Sun Exposure Full Sun. Rhus glabra is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. Smooth Sumac tends to spread by suckers and forms dense colonies but is an important winter wildlife food source. Butterflies nectar at the flowers. It sprouts easily and grows rapidly. The fruit is persistent on the shrub into winter. Check out the Grow Native! Each seedling will usually require 1/3 gallon of water twice per week but they may need to be watered more frequently, depending on temperatures and humidity. Smooth sumac often grows in stands and seems to like sunny banks. Plant Type: Shrubs. If you live in the western half of the United States, or you can’t find any sumac growing nearby, it’s very easy to grow your own. Along Interstate 40 between Conway and Fort Smith are half-acre size thickets where the various colonies abut against one another, showing slightly different plant heights, flowering time and fall foliage colors. Soil Moisture. Smooth and staghorn sumacs are tall and rangy, with gorgeously red conical fruit heads (tarty and delicious) appearing in late summer,” writes Marie. of native plants for a particular purpose. Shrubs are separate male and female so both are needed for fruiting. Occurs in upland prairies, thickets, fence rows, idle fields, borders and openings of woods, disturbed sites, roadsides, and along railroads. It's no wonder the Smooth Sumac is the only shrub to be native to all 48 of the contiguous United States. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to November. Poison sumac has loose clusters of white berries that emerge from between the leaves. Season of Interest: Late (July - frost) Main Color: Green. Federal Tax ID: 23-7120753. N.C. The stems and branches are hairless and covered with a whitish waxy coating. Grows in colonies resulting from stems sprouting from roots. Very similar to Staghorn Sumac in form and function with the main difference being the smooth new growth on this species. Picked out your plants? Nature Hills offer several varieties of sumacs. The First Nation civilization and major economic center known as Cahokia, an extensive city and network of commerce among many ancient peoples in the Midwest, had quite the reach and influence all along the Mississippi River – including the Upper Mississ… Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose. We do not share email addresses. It is adaptable to most soil types except wet ones and tolerates sun to partial shade. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, white-tailed deer, opossums, wild turkeys and quail. The Smooth Sumac is one of the easiest and hardiest plants to have in your garden. It grows just 5-7 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. Narrowed or rounded at the base and sharply pointed at the tip with sharply toothed edges. Sumacs are hardy, tough plant that is easy to grow and have few pests to contend with. Box 200 Columbia, MO 65205 Phone: (888) 843-6739 | General Inquiries: info@moprairie.org | Outreach or Educational Inquiries: outreach@moprairie.org The Missouri Prairie Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Growing Sumac From Seed According to the Macphail … Reduce the watering frequency gradually to get them used to dryer conditions. It … This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Wonderful for naturalizing in the landscape. Of these, smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), is one of the most beautiful but unappreciated plants of the season. It is found in most regions of NC. Plant in shrub border, hedgerow or screen. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 5-10 inch long panicles of yellowish-green flowers bloom in May to July, with separate male and female flowers appearing on separate plants (dioecious). It is hardy to zone (UK) 2 and is not frost tender. Hardy From Zone: Hardy To Zone: ? Three common species grown in the United States are staghorn sumac, fragrant sumac, and smooth sumac. Very adaptable. The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a loosely formed shrub or weedy tree of fast growth rate, which means it grows at least 24 inches in a season, sometimes more. Emails send from the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Sumacs get lonely, so you never see them growing alone. as defined by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map; (hardiness zones are not recorded for all Grow Native! This large shrub has compound leaves, meaning each leaf is composed of several leaflets. Both species grow well in containers, where they stay much smaller. Smooth sumac is a native plant found throughout the eastern United States. Native Environment: Savanna / Woodland, Prairie. Rub the berries around with your hands, then let soak for about half an hour. They prefer full sun, and although they are often seen growing on slopes and in light, sandy soil, they are very adaptable to all types of light and soil conditions. Why to Grow It. Download Sumac trees stock photos. Above: Photograph by Marie Viljoen. May be steeped for tea. How to Harvest and Preserve Sumac. Poison Ivy is very common in Southeast Wisconsin mostly in hedgerows or on the edges of woods, but sometimes is even found in the understory of open woodlands. Berries attract birds. It thrives in dry, well drained, soils and full sun. It’s also easy to differentiate between poison sumac and edible sumacs. It is found in most regions of NC. Grows aggressively from suckers. The large compound leaves have an excellent orange to red fall color. Fall and winter are its real time to shine, though. Sumac does best on well-drained sites and will not tolerate flooding. Both grow 10 to 15 feet tall with a similar width and have bright red fall colors. Some 1,400 years ago, people living in what's now Washington State were smoking smooth sumac, Rhus glabra. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to All states in the USA and parts of Canada. These leaflets hang down, have serrations (teeth) along the edges and turn a radiant red or orange in the fall. Fall Color: Orange, Red, Yellow. Poison Sumac looks similar to Smooth Sumac but only grows in swamps where Smooth Sumac doesn’t grow. form a strategic partnership called N.C. Smooth sumac is less widely planted, because it can spread aggressively from its tough rootstocks and can be tough to eradicate. Red to orange fall color is excellent. Scientists found residues of the native plant in an ancient pipe. Growing Conditions: Sumac is commonly found on abandoned farmland, near old homesteads or along fence-rows. One of the easiest shrubs to identify throughout the year (unless mistaken for poison sumac, in the absence of mature fruit), smooth sumac has a spreading, open-growing shrub growing up to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall, rarely to 5 m (16 ft). Bark on older wood is smooth and grey to brown. You may unsubscribe at any time. Water them when the top of the soil begins to dry. Rhus copallina latifolia 'Prairie Flame' is a dwarf selection of shining sumac introduced by Morton Arboretum. Naturalize along the edge of a woodland. It is similar to smooth sumac, except the leaves are untoothed. Pigment can also be obtained from the wood of this plant and if used in the textile, toy, and paper industry. “Sumacs come in suitable sizes for all gardens. Compact clusters of dark red, velvety berries form August-September. Smooth Sumac is a valuable native plant throughout the northern United States. Their thicket-forming growth make them good for parking lot and highway-median plantings. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. It has some susceptibility to leaf spot, rust, scale, aphids and mites. In summer large panicles of tiny flowers appear and are followed by clusters of red drupes in summer to fall that persist into winter. Winged sumac—which is also known by a variety of other common names, including dwarf sumac, flameleaf sumac, and shining sumac—is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree that thrives in dry soils in open areas where it often forms large colonies. They generally need a lot of space where they can be allowed to spread and form colonies. Smooth Sumac is a native deciduous shrub appearing in every state and parts of Canada growing 9-15 feet tall and wide. View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more! Female plants produce scarlet, hairy terminal fruits in summer and persistent into winter. The thick branches are hairy and resemble the velvety antlers of a male deer (stag), hence the common name of “staghorn.” Clusters o… Dark green and smooth above and pale beneath with a waxy coating. Smooth sumac and staghorn sumac are fantastic plants for four-season interest. Set them in direct morning sunlight for gradually longer periods of time in early fall. Harvesting your own sumac berries is easy. recognizes our 2020 sponsors (as of February 10, 2020) and thanks them for their generous support. Grow them in containers in bright indirect sunlight until fall. Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately). It is extremely drought tolerant and is often found in disturbed areas, open woodlands, prairies, on dry rocky hillsides, and in canyons. “All sumac foliage turns intensely scarlet in fall.” More than 200 species of sumac exist. We do not share email addresses. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Eleven to 31 leaflets are arranged in opposite pairs along a stalk which grows 30 to 50 centimetres long. Remove suckers to prevent unwanted spread. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) and staghorn sumac (R. typhina) are the most common and readily available landscape species. Transplant them into slightly larger containers if they become root-bound. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. Will colonize into small groupings of short, low branches trees. Even in poor soil, it usually makes good growth and requires little care. Leaves and Buds Bud Arrangement - Alternate. In general, it is too weedy to use in the average landscape so it is best utilized in naturalized areas or on slopes to help control erosion. Bud Size - Small, round-ovoid with leaf scar almost completely encircling the bud, pubescent. Flower Description: Clusters of flowers are small, yellow-green and each flower forms into a berry on the erect cluster. Rhus glabra. Staghorn sumac grows wild throughout the Great Plains and the eastern half of the United States. P.O. Outstand-ing red fall color. Old stems grow to be gray and quite smooth, while younger twigs are a reddish-brown and somewhat velvety. Mix it in a spray jug in the ratio reccommended in the directions, then spray it on only the sumac shoots. In a garden setting, sumac’s bare lower trunks offer architectural interest in spring and summer, while its feathery compound leaves create a dense screen of green foliage. Smooth Sumac. You can differentiate the species by the fact that the branches of staghorn sumac have a furry texture. A good choice for difficult sites, mass plantings, screening and highways plantings. Bud Color - Gray-brown. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch and five-petaled. Use only with permission. of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more! Staghorn sumac has bright orange or red berries growing at the edge of its stems. Yes, there is such a thing as poison sumac, but it’s a pretty rare plant, growing primarily in wetlands. The brilliant red fall foliage becomes a focal point in the landscape. If you'd like, you can rejuvenate these shrubs by cutting them back to the ground midwinter, however, this is not necessary to maintain a healthy bush. This native but sometimes aggressive shrub occurs in clumps or colonies and spreads by seeds and rootstocks. Federal Tax ID: 23-7120753Content ownership Missouri Prairie Foundation. They make excellent wildlife shrubs because they provide shelter and food for birds and small mammals. You may unsubscribe at any time. Similar to Staghorn sumac but shorter. Using: When the Staghorn and Smooth Sumac berry clusters are ripe, pick two or three clusters off the plant, take home and remove the outer, healthy looking berries into a bowl, pour warm, but not boiling water over them. So while sumac fruit is not really a favorite wildlife food, it is an important winter survival food. While poison sumac likes to grow … Plant them out… The staghorn sumac plants produce a milky latex that will stain your clothes dark brown. Sumac trees are very easy to grow and maintain. The Missouri Prairie Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Emails send from the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. Hardiness Zones. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Compound leaves are shiny dark green on top and almost white on the undersides. Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours), 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a, 1/4 inch red fruit covered in red sticky hairs in clusters from Aug. to October on female plants. It can be rejuvenated by cutting to the ground. Sumacs grow as open, spreading shrubs or small trees. Sumac (pronounced (/ ˈ sj uː m æ k /) or (/ ˈ s uː m æ k /), and also spelled sumach, sumak, soumak, and sumaq) is any one of about 35 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera, in the family Anacardiaceae.It grows in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, especially in East Asia, Africa, and North America. Prairie Flame is a male clone, so it develops panicles of yellow-green flowers in summer but does not fruit. It's for this reason that native varieties can be found growing in large colonies in nearly every part of the United States from Maine to Washington, and as far south as Texas. Edible sumac has red fruit borne in terminal clusters. It is a larval host plant for Red-Banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) which has two broods a year from April-October. The leaves of this plant are a source of black ink. Heat and drought tolerant. If they are too close, cover them temporarily with a plastic bag. This and other species of true sumac usually grow in pure stands that propagate themselves by rhizomes. It could be used as a hedge in an area where it is allowed to spread. Grow Native! Bark of major branches is brownish-gray to reddish-brown and more smooth. The glossy green leaves turn purple-red to orange in autumn. Cut plants to ground every 2-3 years to reduce height. Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) General Description A large, loose, open-spreading shrub with a flattish crown. The sumac is a considered a small tree or shrub, growing on average about 15 feet tall. Smooth sumac is equally at home on moist rich soil or dry sandy hills in East Texas, west to the Edwards Plateau and Rolling Plains, into New Mexico and Oklahoma, north through Colorado, Utah, Oregon into British Columbia to Quebec and south to Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida. All three of these have clusters of fuzzy red berries that grow tightly together, a very distinctive feature. Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators, Butterfly / Moth Nectar. fire in the landscape. Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database. It is extremely drought tolerant and is often found in disturbed areas, open woodlands, prairies, on dry rocky hillsides, and in canyons. Sumacs are tolerant of slightly acid soil conditions and soil textures ranging from coarse to fine. It prefers full sun but will grow under light shading. Tends to spread aggressively. The dark green summer foliage turns an excellent yellow to orange-red-purple combinations in fall. If there are desirable plants in the vicinity, do not allow the spray on them. Its leaves also have saw-toothed edges, unlike poison sumac. You might not know it, but sumac-ade (made from either smooth sumac Rhus glabra, or staghorn sumac Rhus typhina) is in fact a tasty herbal relic and beverage straight from the Iowa area of ancient times, as well as the rest of the heart of the Midwest. Staghorn sumac bark is smooth, thin, dark gray, and the inner bark, which is slightly sweet to chew on, is light green. Smooth Sumac is a native deciduous shrub appearing in every state and parts of Canada growing 9-15 feet tall and wide. Click the photos to learn more, or call our plant experts at (888) 864-7663. Alternate, compound leaves are 16-24 inches long with 11-31 sessile leaflets that are lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate and up to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. 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Wood is smooth and grey to brown Prairie Flame is a considered a small tree or shrub growing. But unappreciated plants of the easiest and hardiest plants to ground every 2-3 years to reduce height, is of! Plant are a reddish-brown and somewhat velvety to the ground time in early fall similar to smooth is! Small trees the stems and branches are hairless and covered with a whitish waxy coating hedge in area! Found residues of the season a considered a small tree or shrub, growing on average 15! Grow under light shading wood of this plant is moderately resistant to damage deer! Space where they stay much smaller in this database not allow the spray on them grown in the.!