Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac

• Habitat– native to Canada down

through the United States

– zone 4

Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac

• Habit and Form– a large open shrub or

weedy tree – flat-topped crown – colonizes and suckers – 15' to 25' tall – spread is difficult to

determine because it colonizes

– coarse texture – fast growth rate

Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac

• Summer Foliage– alternate leaf arrangement – pinnately compound leaves – leafs are 1 to 2 feet long – 13 to 27 leaflets – each leaflet is lanceolate in

shape, 2" to 5" long – leaflets have a serrated

margin – leaf rachis is long and hairy

• Autumn Foliage– yellow, orange to red fall color – very showy

Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac

• Flowers– dioecious – borne in large hairy

panicles – male flower head

larger than female – blooms in June

• Fruit– crimson, pyramidal

panicle of seeds – matures in late August – persists

Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac

• Bark– extremely hairy stems – concealed lenticels – stout stems – aromatic – older stems are not

pubescent

Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac

• Culture– easily transplanted – soil adaptable – suckers – full sun to partial shade