Rhus aromatica

Rhus aromatica, the fragrant sumac, is a deciduous shrub in the family Anacardiaceae native to North America. It is found in southern Canada (Alberta to Quebec) and nearly all of the lower 48 states except peninsular Florida.

Description
Fragrant sumac is a woody plant with a rounded form that grows to around 2 ft to 5 ft tall and 5 ft to 10 ft wide. The plant develops yellow flowers in clusters on short lateral shoots in March through May. The flower is a small, dense inflorescence that usually opens before the plant's leaves do. Flowers and drupes appear earlier in the year than on other Sumac species.

The species is polygamodioecious (mostly dioecious, primarily bearing flowers of only one sex, but with either a few flowers of the opposite sex or a few bisexual flowers on the same plant). Male (staminate) flowers develop in yellowish catkins, while female (pistillate) flowers develop in short bright yellow panicles at the ends of branches.

Pollinated flowers develop clusters of 5 mm to 7 mm hairy red drupes containing a single nutlet during June through August. The fruits become an important winter food for birds and small mammals that can remain on the plant until spring if not eaten.

The plant's alternate compound leaves have three leaflets that vary in shape, lobing, and margination. The unstalked leaflets are ovate to rhomboid, more or less wedge-shaped at the base, coarsely-toothed and usually shiny glabrous above. The terminal leaflet is 3 cm to 6.5 cm long.

The plant's green to glossy blue-green summer foliage becomes orange to red or purple in the fall. Stems are thin and brownish-gray, with rust-colored lenticels when young. Leaves and stems emit a lemon scent when crushed. There are no terminal buds, but overwintering male catkins are present.

Taxonomy
Rhus aromatica belongs to the plant family Anacardiaceae and the genus Rhus. Rhus is a Greek word for Sumac. The specific epithet, aromatica, simply means fragrant.

Subordinate Taxa


 * Rhus aromatica Aiton var. aromatica
 * Rhus aromatica Aiton var. arenaria (Greene) Fernald
 * Rhus aromatica Aiton var. serotina (Greene) Rehder "Konza"

Fragrant sumac has three-leafleted lobed leaves that resemble those of its relative, poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and poison oak (Toxicodendron pubescens). However, both poison ivy and poison oak have central leaflet with a leaflet stem, or petiole, whereas fragrant sumac's does not.

Distribution and habitat
Fragrant sumac is common along the forested eastern margins of the Great Plains and in open or otherwise disturbed sites on the margins of the Gulf Coast prairie. It grows at a range of sites including open rocky woodlands, valley bottoms, lower rocky slopes, and roadsides. It is not widely used for landscape plantings but can be used as a ground cover, especially on banks. The plant's colorful fall foliage is its main ornamental feature.

The plant grows in deep shade to full sun and well-drained slightly acid soils to well-drained alkaline with a pH range of about 6.0 to 8.5. It has a shallow, fibrous root system and is easily transplanted. Some of its branches can trail upon the ground and develop roots. The plant can ground sucker to form a colony. Developed thickets provide cover for small mammals and birds.

Rhizomes and roots in the soil allow R. aromatica to sprout following fire events.

Common diseases and pests
Fragrant sumac has no major diseases or pests. It has been known to be affected by leaf spots, rust, aphids, scale, and mites. Nipple galls are a somewhat common problem affecting foliage appearance, but damage is cosmetic. Cultivars of fragrant sumac, such as Konza, have been found to be resistant to leaf rust and insect damage.

Uses
Historically, Native American tribes have used fragrant sumac to treat health problems and various illnesses. The ripe berries were made into a tart drink. In addition to this, the leaves and bark were used in leather making due to their high tannin content. To create a smoking mixture, the leaves were combined with tobacco.

Though not popular for landscaping, R. aromatica can be used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on embankments or hard-to-cover areas.

A study showed strong antiviral activity against two types of herpes in vitro using aqueous extractions of R. aromatica.

Conservation status in the United States
Rhus aromatica is listed as of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. However, this status applies only to native populations. In Washington, Connecticut, and New Hampshire it is considered introduced. Globally, fragrant sumac is listed as G5 or secure.