Images of the Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Staghorn Sumac

Rhus typhina

Also known as Rhus hirta, with other common names as Velvet Sumac, Vinegar Tree and Virginia Sumac, this North American native can become weedy. Its green compound leaves become very showy in fall with their bright yellow, red and orange color. It produces suckers that can result in masses of growth. Birds, squirrels, rabbits and deer eat this Sumac.

Habitat:Dry, rocky soils in open woods, old fields, roadsides.

Growth Habit:Deciduous clonal shrub or small tree, growing up to 10 m.

Bloom Time:Late spring.

Longevity:Short-lived.

Presence in US:AL CT DC DE GA IA IL IN KS KY MA MD ME MI MN MO MS NC NH NJ NY OH PA RI SC SD TN UT VA VT WI WV

Presence in Canada:NB NS ON PE QC

This project was supported in part by NSF Grant IIS-03-25867 (ITR: An Electronic Field Guide: Plant Exploration and Discovery in the 21st Century) and by the Washington Biologists' Field Club.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views, opinions, or policy of the National Science Foundation (NSF).