Winged sumac.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

10 to 20 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Plant this shrub in a spot with plenty of sun to ensure the best fall color and fruit production. It is quite drought tolerant once established, so just keep an eye on it during its first year. Watch for suckering if you prefer to keep it in a contained area.

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season to help the roots establish.

Feeding

A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood or manage the plant size.

Repotting

This plant is best suited for the ground, but if kept in a container, repot when it becomes rootbound.

Soil

Well-drained, dry to medium moisture soil

Soil pH

Acidic to neutral

Temperature

-28 to 38°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non toxic, though some people may experience contact dermatitis from the sap.

Children

The berries are small and could pose a choking hazard to very young children if ingested.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause skin irritation or rashes in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can cause mild respiratory symptoms in those with severe allergies.

Edibility

The berries are often used to make a tart, lemonade like drink, but ensure you correctly identify the plant as some sumac relatives are highly toxic.

How to identify it

• Glossy dark green compound leaves
• Winged leaf rachis between leaflets
• Pyramidal clusters of red berries
• Brilliant scarlet fall foliage
• Small greenish yellow flower clusters

Height

2 to 6m

Spread

2 to 6m

Leaves

dark green, glossy, deciduous

Flowers

yellowish green, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

red, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Sumac Leaf SpotCommon
• CankerUncommon
• Powdery MildewUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Verticillium WiltRare

Growing it

Propagation

seed, root cuttings, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant in groups to create a naturalistic thicket that provides excellent cover for local wildlife.

Grows well with

• Little Bluestem · They share similar requirements for sun and dry soil.
• Purple Coneflower · Provides a nice color contrast and attracts pollinators.

Similar species

• Staghorn Sumac · Similar growth habit but with velvety stems.
• Smooth Sumac · Very similar appearance but lacks the winged leaf stalks.

Science

Family

Anacardiaceae

Genus

Rhus

Order

Sapindales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and central North America.

Conservation

This species is common and stable throughout its native range.

It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes disturbed sites and open fields.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, provides winter cover for birds, fruit is a food source for songbirds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

ornamental shrub, erosion control, wildlife habitat, autumn color

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?

It spreads by suckers, so it can be aggressive in small gardens.

Does it need pruning?

Pruning is only needed to control its size or remove dead wood.

Where the name comes from

Rhus is the ancient Greek name for sumac, while copallina refers to the resinous copal like sap found in some related species.

Good to know

• It is commonly called winged sumac because of the leafy wings on the leaf stalks.
• The berries are rich in vitamin C.
• It spreads by underground runners to form colonies.
• It is a very tough plant that thrives in poor, dry soils.