Rhus aromaticaIndiana Native
Fragrant Sumac

Family:

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family) 10

Genus:

Rhus (Sumac) 6

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Prostrate / Creeping / Mat-Forming 24

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 230

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 836

Flower Notes:

Yellow (Numerous small yellow flowers in March and April; male catkins are 1" long whereas female flower buds are much shorter (polygamous or dioecious))

Foliage Notes:

Green (Bluish-green summer foliage); Red (Variable red to orange fall foliage)

Stem Notes:

reddish brown, slender, pubescent, fragrant when bruised

Fruit Notes:

Red (Interesting, but not overly abundant; in clusters of hairy, round drupes, only on female plants, in fall)

Ultimate Height:

2-6 feet

Ultimate Spread:

6-10 feet

Bloom Times:

April 183

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Dry to medium 47

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to different soil types, but prefers acid, well-drained soils

Range:

Eastern United States

Maintenance:

Low 264

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves alternate and trifoliate with the terminal leaflet being 1.5-3" long and toothed. Male catkins persist from summer through the winter. Pubescent stems are fragrant when crushed (some say the aroma is similar to that of turpentine).

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Pest and/or Disease Resistant 96

Indiana Native 162

Additional Information

A highly variable species in both ultimate height and fall foliage color. Color probably also varies with soil type, possibly as a function of moisture content. Plants are native to dry, sandy, and rocky soils, and usually color well under these conditions. Useful for bank stabilization since it develops roots on stems touching the soil. It also suckers. Can spread too quickly for some sites (spreading rhizomes). Shear to ground to rejuvenate (try a brush-hog).