fragrant sumac

Plant Type

Shrub (less than 10 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

2 ft. tall
6-10 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Drought

Inolerant of

Poorly Drained Soil

Propagation

By seed, By cutting, By division

Plant Propagation Notes

Seeds require scarification followed by cold moist stratification for 30-60 days. Semi-hardwood cuttings can be cut in summer through fall. Rooted suckers can easily be transplanted.

Plant Planting Notes

Allow for up to 10 feet of spread.

Plants/Diseases

No significant issues. Minor susceptibility to leaf spot, rust, scale, and mites. Sometimes galls appear on foliage, but are mainly cosmetic.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

The glossy, deciduous leaves are trifoliate (three leaflets), alternate, and ovate with serrate margins.

Flowers

Small yellow/green flowers are borne on short spikes. Each flower is 1/8″ long. Male flowers are catkins. Male and female flowers can occur on the same plant or on separate plants.

Fruit

Small, hairy ovoid drupes that turn red as they ripen.

Bark

New growth is brown and pubescent on zig-zag stems.

Toxicity

No known toxicity

USDA Hardiness Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Medium

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Dry to dry-mesic upland forests and woodlands, glade margins, stream banks, bluffs, and pastures, eastwards primarily in rocky, rather dry, woodlands, usually over mafic rocks (such as gabbro or diabase) or calcareous rocks, less commonly in sandy soils.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Uncommon in the mountains and piedmont. Rare in the coastal plain.

Subspecies

Rhus aromatica var. aromatica