Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Anacardiaceae>Rhus glabra L.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

Smooth Sumac is a common shrub or small tree. The large leaves have many toothed leaflets, unlike the untoothed leaves of Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix). The rachis between leaflets lacks the wings of the Winged Sumac (R. copallinum). The stems and rachis are smooth, unlike the similar Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) of the mountains.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

The leaves are glaucous beneath. Durham Co., NC 6/21/03.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

The small, yellowish-green flowers are arranged in large panicles.

Carroll Co., VA 7/24/05.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

The drupes are bright red and short-fuzzy.

Carroll Co., VA 7/24/05.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

Bark detail.

Trivia tidbit: Rhus glabra is the only tree or shrub native to all 48 contiguous US states.

More information:
Bioview
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
USDA PLANTS database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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