Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Fragrant Sumac ClassificationFragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Kingdom Plantae Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular
Superdivision Spermatophyta Seed plants
Division MagnoliophytaFlowering Plants
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons
Subclass Rosidae
Order Sapindales
Family Anacardiaceae Sumac Family
Genus Rhus E. Sumac
Species Rhus Aromatica Fragrant Sumac
Figure 1: Fragrant Sumac Classification table
Tree Shape, Form, and Type
• This tree is considered to be more of a shrub than a tree.
• It only grow to about eight feet tall with a crown extending about 8 feet out.
• The branches all point up at the tips making this a very dense tree. Figure 2: Fragrant Sumac Tree
Fragrant Sumac Bark
• The bark of the Fragrant Sumac tree is considered to be a grayish brownish color.
• The bark is raise in random places making it easier to tell apart from other trees.
• Also, if broken off the bark gives off a very pungent fragrance.
Figure 3: Bark of a Fragrant Sumac Tree
Fragrant Sumac Twig
• The twig of the fragrant sumac is described as being very slim and slender.
• It is a dark brown color and is cover with small hairs and fuzz.
• Like the bark of the tree, if broken the twig will exude a strong bittersweet smell.
Figure 4: Twig from a Fragrant Sumac
Leaf Description• The leaf of this tree is about
three inches long and one and a half inches wide when the tree reaches full maturity.
• The leaves are usually rough and fuzzy.
• Each year the leaves start out light green and grow darker over the summer. Then in the fall they turn yellow, then red, then eventually fall from the tree. Figure 5: Leaves from a Fragrant Sumac
Bud, Fruit, and Flower
• Buds: the buds of this tree are quite small and grow in clusters on the branches. They are normally yellow or brown in color.
• Fruit: the fruit from the Fragrant Sumac tree is usually very small and also grows in clusters on the tree. The fruit are red and also release a very intense smell if broken open.
• Flower: the flowers of this tree are very small, less than one inch long for the most part, and are covered in hairy or fuzz. They are yellowish in color and the males, on average, are half an inch bigger than the females.
Bud, Fruit, and Flower Pictures
Figure 6: Buds of the Fragrant Sumac
Figure 8: Flowers of the Fragrant Sumac
Figure 7: Buds of the Fragrant Sumac
Range and Habitat• These tree are vary diverse in
terms of their habitat, meaning they are very adaptable and can live almost anywhere.
• Many are found on road sides, rocky hills, and in valleys and forests.
• Because they vary so greatly in habitat these trees have a very wide range including parts of canada. They are also found from Massachusetts down to Florida, over to Texas, and up through South Dakota.
Figure 9: Graph of Fragrant Sumac range
Uses
• This tree has a very broad range of uses including
• Leather oil• Water flavoring• Food for animals during
the winter• Shelter
Figure 10: Fruit of the Fragrant Sumac Tree
Figure References• Figure 1: USDA, NRCS. (2010, June 24). The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Retrieved June 34, 2010,
From http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RHAR4• Figure2: Cook, W. (2009, May 17). Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica). Home | Duke University. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/rhar.html• Figure 3:Cook, W. (2009, May 17). Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica). Home | Duke University. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/rhar.html• Figure 4:Miller, T. (n.d.). Image Gallery. Welcome to the PLANTS Database | USDA PLANTS. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from
http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=rhar4_008_avp.tif• Figure 5: Cook, W. (2009, May 17). Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica). Home | Duke University. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/rhar.html• Figure 6: Cook, W. (2009, May 17). Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica). Home | Duke University. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/rhar.html• Figure 7:Cook, W. (2009, May 17). Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica). Home | Duke University. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/rhar.html• Figure 8:Cook, W. (2009, May 17). Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica). Home | Duke University. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/rhar.html• Figure 9:USDA, NRCS. (2010, June 24). The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Retrieved June 34, 2010,
From http://plants.usda.gov• Figure 10:Hurst, S. (n.d.). Large image for Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) | USDA PLANTS. Welcome to the PLANTS Database | USDA PLANTS. Retrieved
June 24, 2010, from http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=Carya+cordiformis&mode=sciname
References• Classification:USDA, NRCS. (2010, June 24). The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490
USA. Retrieved June 34, 2010, From http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RHAR4• Tree Shape Form and Type:Fragrant Sumac. (2010, June 4). NDSU. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from
www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-53.pdf• Tree Bark:Fragrant Sumac. (2010, June 4). NDSU. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from
www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-53.pdf• Twig:Fragrant Sumac. (2010, June 4). NDSU. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from
www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-53.pdf• Leaf Description:Fragrant Sumac. (2010, June 4). NDSU. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from
www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-53.pdf• Buds, Fruit, and Flowers:Fragrant Sumac. (2010, June 4). NDSU. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from
www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-53.pdf• Habitat and Range:Fragrant Sumac. (2010, June 4). NDSU. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from
www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-53.pdf• Uses:Fragrant Sumac. (2010, June 4). NDSU. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from
www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-53.pdf