Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Sumac Family (Anacardiaceae)
Fragrant sumac is a deciduous, multi-stemmed, thicket-forming shrub, reaching 6 feet or more tall and 10-foot spread. It has an irregular dense crown, velvety twigs, and branches with ascending tips. Leaves and twigs have a citrus fragrance when crushed. The trifoliate leaves are ovate, hairy, and coarsely toothed. They turn orange to reddish-purple in the fall before falling off. Male and female flowers usually occur on different plants. The small yellow flowers bloom in dense, short, terminal panicles (female) or short catkins (male). Flowers from April to May before the leaves appear. Male catkins form in late summer and persist throughout the winter until eventually blooming in spring. The flower is a nectar source for adult butterflies. The fruit is a hairy red drupe, which may persist into the winter, and are eaten by many birds and small mammals. It can be brewed into a tea. Is a larval host for the red-banded hairstreak butterfly. Plants sucker and form colonies. Found mostly in dry woodlands, dry rocky prairies, old fields, and open woods in eastern and central US and Canada. Prefers well-drained soil. Not very tolerant of poorly drained soils. The plant’s leaves, which do not cause irritation, resemble poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and poison oak (T. pubescens). Also known as aromatic sumac, lemon sumac, and polecat bush. Has 3 recognized varieties.

Listed as threatened in IN, species of concern in CT, and presumed extirpated in OH.