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Tree & Shrub Gallery

Sumac Family

                    

Anacardiaceae - Sumac family
Prairie Flameleaf Sumac (Prairie Sumac, Lance-leaved Sumac) Rhus lanceolata
This shrub can grow to 30 feet tall. Whitish flowers are in 6"-9" long clusters. 1/4" yellowish berries turn dark red in the fall. Frond-like leaves are made up of 3" long leaflets with a narrowly winged stem between. Leaves turn red/orange in the fall. Leaves produce tannin that can be used to tan hides. Berries can be made into a drink. The are eaten by quail and deer.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, August-November 2004
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Callahan, Coleman, Brown, Runnels, Coke, Nolan)

           

Anacardiaceae - Sumac family
Wing-rib Sumac (Flame-leaf Sumac, Dwarf Sumac, Shining Sumac) Rhus copallinum var. latifolia
Pinnate leaves up to 12" long with wing-margins between leaflets. Shrub to small tree of 20 feet. Flowers are green in dense clusters. Large dense clusters of small hairy red berries grow at end of limb.
Male flower photos taken by Sonnia Hill in Van Zandt County, Texas, June 2003
Berry photo taken by Sonnia Hill in Van Zandt County, Texas, July 2004
Leaf photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006
(Native of Texas - near but not listed in Van Zandt - Taylor, Coleman, Runnels, Nolan)

                    

Anacardiaceae - Sumac family
Little-Leaf Sumac Rhus microphylla
Flowers are about 3/16" wide in tight clusters that appear before the leaves. Leaves are 1 1/2" long with 5-9 leaflets and winged connecting stem. Red berries grow in clusters and are covered in fine hair. Plant grows to 8 feet tall.
Berry photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2004
Flower photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2005
New fruit photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, September 2008
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Coleman, Brown, Runnels, Coke, Nolan)

              

Anacardiaceae - Sumac family
Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata var. trilobata (Rhus aromatica var. trilobata)
It appears the designation for this plant's species name is undecided or is in the process of change.
Rhus trilobata should have leaflets with stronger lobe cuts, less hairy fruit, and a foul odor.
Red berries grow in clusters and are covered in fine hair, edible. Red-brown limbs are covered in a white film. Plant grows to 8 feet tall. Crushed leaves have an unpleasant fragrance.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2004, March 2006
(Native of Texas)
see similar Peppervine

        

Anacardiaceae - Sumac family
Fragrant Sumac (Lemon Sumac, Polecat Bush) Rhus aromatica var. serotina (Rhus trilobata var. serotina)
It appears the designation for this plant's species name is undecided or is in the process of change.
Rhus aromatica should have leaflets with less lobe cuts, hairier fruit, and a more pleasant odor.
Tiny greenish flowers grow in clusters at the end of branches before the new leaves appear in spring. Small clusters of fuzzy red berries. Leaves have 3 leaflets and are about 2" long, turn red/orange in the fall. Crushed leaves have a lemon-like fragrance.
Berry photo taken by Sonnia Hill in Van Zandt County, Texas, May 2003
Flower photos taken by Sonnia Hill in Van Zandt County, Texas, March 2004
Fall leaf photo taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006
(Native of Texas - near but not listed in Van Zandt - Taylor, etc.)
see similar Peppervine

Other Species in My Area

Evergreen Sumac Rhus virens
Shrub to 12 feet tall with spreading branches.  Evergreen leaves are shinny with pink tint in spring and maroon in fall.  Leaflets are thick and stiff, lance to oval.  Flowers green/white, small, 1"-2" clusters.  Fruit is red, hairy, flattened.
(Native of Texas - Brown, Coke)