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