Staghorn Sumac (

Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

This large native shrub can be found on either side of the gravel path which is part of the Hills to Sea Trail that goes through this site. It is common to find this species in disturbed, sandy, areas such as this one. You may recognize it as it is common on roadsides.

Key identifying factors:

- Shrub up to 40' in height.

- Primary stalks are bare and branch off into several branches with new growth bearing many alternate large composites leaves 10- 18" long with opposite narrow oblong leaves pointed at their tips.

- The bark of new branches is fuzzy and covered with sticky lemony acid.

- Flowers bloom in June- July and are yellow-green in a loose cone-like structure.

This same coating is on the fruit which is dark, fuzzy, red berries in a long cone shape. They are ripe from late summer to early autumn.

- This species is easy to spot on this site, as it is the tallest of the species present.

Wildlife:

Many pollinators such as bees, wasps, butterflies, and beetles are strongly attracted to the pollen of the flowers.

The berries stay on the shrub throughout the winter and are a good food source for numerous species of gamebirds, songbirds, and mammals such as moose and white-tailed deer who browse the leaves and twigs, and rabbits who eat the bark and twigs, especially in the winter.

This is one of my favorite species of this site because the berries are a delicious, tart treat. If they are ripe feel free to snack on some! They are tart, fuzzy, and covered with e yummy, lemony acid. Sumac is popular as a seasoning throughout the Middle East and is used in place of acids such a lemon and vinegar. The berries also make a delicious tea commonly made by the Native Americans. Enjoy some tea by soaking the berries in cold water for an hour or more. Best to harvest before a rain, as the precipitation tends to wash of the yummy lemon.