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Fragrant Sumac Flower Wikimedia Commons
Anacardiaceae

Fragrant Sumac Flower

Rhus aromatica

Adaptability and warmth.

Family
Anacardiaceae
Genus
Rhus
Native to
North America
Bloom season
Early Spring
Type
Deciduous shrub
Height
2-6 feet
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Adaptable, well-drained
Water
Low
Hardiness
3-9
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Fragrant sumac gets its name from the spicy-citrus scent released when its leaves are crushed.
  • Tiny yellow flowers appear before the leaves emerge, making it one of spring's earliest bloomers.
  • The red berries were used by Native Americans to make a tart, lemonade-like beverage called sumac-ade.
  • Despite being in the same family as poison ivy, fragrant sumac is completely non-toxic.
  • The cultivar 'Gro-Low' is widely used as a ground cover for erosion control on slopes and banks.

Color meanings

0

Resourcefulness

1

Versatility

2

Vigor

Uses

  • Erosion control
  • Ground cover
  • Wildlife habitat
  • Traditional beverage