Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Anacardiaceae>Rhus copallinum L. var. copallinum

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

Winged Sumac is a common shrub or small tree, also called Shining Sumac (from the glossy leaves) or Dwarf Sumac (from its small stature). Easy to recognize because of the distinctive wings on the rachis (leaf stem) between the leaflets. Used as a host plant for Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops). Formerly called Rhus copallina.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

This plant has a slightly atypical leaf form.

Pender Co., NC 8/27/05.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

Fall foliage is brilliant reddish-orange in color.

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

Infloresence. The flowers are small and greenish. Orange Co., NC 7/25/03.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

The drupes are brilliant red when ripe and covered with a sticky secretion high in malic acid. However, that didn't prevent this Fork-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia furcata) from munching on them.

Harnett Co., NC 8/18/05.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) bark

Bark of a tree about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) bark

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) bark

Currituck Co., NC 11/8/08.

More information:
Floridata
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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