How to identify Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)

How to identify Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)

Smooth sumac, also known as Upland sumac, Vinegar-tree

Smooth sumac presents as a robust deciduous shrub, reaching heights and widths of 9-15 feet (2.7-4.5 meters). Its foliage is distinctive, courtesy of compound leaves that turn a striking red in fall. While smooth to the touch, the twigs are clad with a characteristically hairless bark. The appearance of dioecious flowers means separate male and female plants exist, which is a unique aspect of smooth sumac. In the appropriate season, smooth sumac bears red, dense pyramidal fruit clusters that provide contrast against the greenery and serve as a vital food source for wildlife.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Smooth sumac

Compound leaves with red fall color, 16-24 inches (40-60 cm) long, composed of 11-31 leaflets.

Hairless stem with whitish waxy coating, 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) thick, branching extensively.

Dioecious plant with separate male and female flowers; female plants bear vivid red, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) flowers.

Small red berries in dense clusters, only on female plants, 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) in diameter.

Distinct bark: young smooth trunk, older warty texture; major branches with slight ridges, brownish-gray to reddish-brown.

Detailed Traits of Smooth sumac

Leaf Features

The leaves of smooth sumac are alternate and compound, measuring 16-24 inches (40-60 cm) long, composed of 11-31 sessile leaflets. Each leaflet is lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. They are narrowed or rounded at the base, sharply pointed at the tip, and have sharply toothed edges. The upper surface is dark green and smooth, while the underside is pale with a waxy coating. The fall color ranges from red to orange.

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Flower Features

Smooth sumac displays 5-10 inch (13-25 cm) long panicles of yellowish-green flowers from May to July. The flowers are dioecious, meaning separate male and female flowers appear on different plants. Each small, five-petaled flower measures about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) across. These subtle, yet distinctive flowers are a key identification feature for understanding this plant species.

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Stem Features

The stem of smooth sumac is hairless and possesses a distinctive whitish waxy coating. It is smooth and typically straight, exhibiting a uniform thickness ranging between 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm). The stems often branch out extensively, forming a well-defined, open canopy. The surface of the stem is notably sleek and features a light green to brown hue, transitioning to reddish tones with maturity. The absence of hair is a key identification trait for this plant.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of smooth sumac is distinguishable by its small size, approximately 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) in diameter. These berries are notable for their vivid red hue and the distinctive red, sticky hairs that envelop their surface. Found in dense clusters, they become prominent from August to October. It's important to note that only the female plants bear this fruit. The clusters present a spherical mass that can catch the eye due to their color and texture.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Smooth sumac and Their Similar Plants

Staghorn sumac vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

The dried bobs of the staghorn sumac are occasionally used by beekeepers for their smokers. Except for the roots, all parts of the plant can be used to make dyes or dye mordants; the tannins in the sap help prevent the dye colors from fading. Luna moth caterpillars feed on Rhus typhina, and pheasants and wild turkeys pick at the fruits.

Fragrant sumac vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

Fragrant sumac is a North American deciduous plant. It has silky stems and branches, as well as gleaming turquoise foliage that switches colors ranging from yellow to red. When bruised, the stems and leaves emit a pleasant fragrance. The leaves are believed to resemble poison ivy; however, the plant is completely non-poisonous and even appealing to wild animals.

Chinese sumac vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

Chinese sumac is a tiny tree with downy stems and leaves that turn red and drop in fall. The plant is widespread in east and south Asia and is used as an ornamental. The fruits are edible, and the tree is a source of tannins and oil. The gall produced by this plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Lemonade Berry vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) is a shrub that’s native to California, both on the coast and in the southwestern part of the state. Candles and brown dye can be made with lemonade Berry's tannin-rich oil, and the wood from a fully-grown plant is often used for kindling.

Skunk-bush sumac vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

The leaves of the skunk-bush sumac (Rhus trilobata) have a pungent smell, hence its name. The berries provide food for animals and birds in winter. Many of those creatures also make use of skunk-bush sumac as shelter. The flexible branches can be woven into baskets.

Sugar Bush vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

The resilient sugar Bush is often one of the few structures left standing after a fire. These bushes are very drought tolerant (at least after the first year) and flourish with only occasional rainfall. The sugar Bush grows naturally in canyons and chaparral and has aromatic foliage and red fruit.

Evergreen sumac vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

Evergreen sumac is a shrub that is native to areas of the United States. Its blossoms and fruit attract butterflies, bees, and birds. Its sun-cured leaves were supposedly blended with tobacco for smoking, and its fruit was once used to prepare a drink by the Comanche Indians.

False poison sumac vs. Smooth sumac: What's The Difference?

False poison sumac is a rare deciduous shrub, esteemed for its clusters of cream-colored flowers and vibrant red autumn foliage. Thriving in sandy woodlands, its low-growing, colony-forming habit showcases resilience against wildfires, embellished by distinctive red berries that beckon birds. This hardy species is a beacon of survival and regeneration in its native habitat.

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Key Facts About Smooth sumac

Attributes of Smooth sumac

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Plant Height

3 m to 5 m

Spread

2.5 m to 4.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Green

Yellow

White

Fruit Color

Red

Burgundy

Stem Color

Green

The Toxicity of Smooth sumac

Moderate Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Smooth sumac

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Maples, mangos, mahogany, citrus, and allies

Family

Cashew

Genus

Sumacs

Species

Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)

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Distribution Map of Smooth sumac

Smooth sumac is a prairie plant native to North America. It does not grow anywhere else as an introduced species and is sometimes grown ornamentally in its native range despite its weedy, aggressive growth.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Smooth sumac

A Comprehensive Guide to Smooth sumac How to Grow and Care for Smooth sumac