How to identify False poison sumac (Rhus michauxii)
False poison sumac is a deciduous shrub notable for its dense clusters of compound leaves, which are dark green in color and turn a striking orange-red in autumn. Each leaf typically measures around 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) in length with serrated margins. The plant produces flowers in loose panicles, which eventually give way to hairy red drupes. This dioecious shrub has distinct male and female plants, with the males displaying more prominent flowers. The striking foliage and fruit contribute to the plant’s unique visual signature.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Shrub
Dark green compound leaves with serrated margins, turning orange-red in autumn.
Red compressed drupes on female plants, lacking strong scent but visually striking.
Smooth reddish stem with thin, woody structure and well-defined branching pattern.
Elliptical to lanceolate leaflets, leathery texture with pinnate vein patterns.
Dioecious shrub with distinct male and female plants, males having more prominent flowers.
False poison sumac exhibits alternate, pinnate compound leaves that are dark green. Each leaf comprises 9 to 15 leaflets. In terms of shape, the leaflets are elliptical to lanceolate, measuring around 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) in length. The leaf margins are serrated. The compound leaves turn a striking mix of yellow-orange to purplish red during fall. The texture is leathery, with prominent vein patterns that are pinnate, running parallel to each other, enhancing its identification.
False poison sumac produces a 6-8 inch (15-20 cm) panicle of yellowish-green flowers in summer. These flowers consist of tiny, clustered petals forming an elongated structure. On female plants, after flowering, red compressed drupes develop. The flowers lack a strong scent, focusing more on their color and clustered arrangement for identification.
The stem of false poison sumac is typically smooth with a reddish tinge, especially on young shoots. It presents a fine, hairless texture, and its color can shift to greenish-brown as it matures. The stem is relatively thin, seldom exceeding 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter. It has a well-defined branching pattern, with nodes at regular intervals. The mature stems exhibit a woody structure, while the new growth remains more flexible and tender.
The fruit of false poison sumac consists of red, compressed drupes which offer a striking visual against the foliage. These small fruits may be appealing in their hue but are notable for the sterility of the seeds they often contain. Each drupe showcases a smooth, glossy surface with a fleshy exterior encapsulating the seed, typically ripening in late summer to early fall. Despite the attractiveness of the red coloration, the fruit's potential for propagation is limited due to the common occurrence of seed sterility. The size of the drupes is rather small, characteristic of the species, which adds a subtle charm without overwhelming presence.
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Scientific Classification of False poison sumac
