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Sumac trees and shrubs are a diverse group of plants in the genus Rhus. Known for their fern-like foliage, upright seed clusters, and brilliant fall color, sumac trees are a standout choice for four-season landscaping. From low, spreading groundcovers to multi-stemmed small trees, there is a sumac for almost every site and design style.
Many North American and Mediterranean species tolerate poor soils, drought, and heat, making them valuable in wildlife plantings, erosion control projects, and low-water gardens. Some varieties, such as staghorn sumac, smooth sumac, fragrant sumac, lemonade berry, winged sumac, desert sumac, skunkbush, littleleaf sumac, and Sicilian sumac, also offer traditional food and spice uses. Because the name “sumac” is sometimes confused with poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), it is important to correctly identify any plant before eating or handling it.
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a deciduous, shrub-like tree native to eastern North America. It grows naturally around the Great Lakes region, roadsides, and sunny forest edges. Staghorn gets its name from the velvety texture and appearance of its young branches, which resemble the antlers of a stag in velvet.
Staghorn sumac is loved by landscapers for its deep red to scarlet October foliage, coarse texture, and strong architectural form. Upright, cone-shaped seed clusters (drupes) hold their color well into winter, offering interest long after leaves drop. Mass-plantings of staghorn sumac on slopes or along driveways create dramatic, low-maintenance drifts of fall color.
Beyond its visual appeal, this variety has several practical uses. The dried fruit clusters of staghorn sumac can be steeped in water to make “sumac lemonade” or dried and ground into a tangy crimson spice, which adds a lemony, slightly smoky flavor to dishes. In many traditions, the bark and leaves have been used cautiously in traditional medicine.
Staghorn sumac is a hardy plant that thrives in a wide range of soil conditions, including rocky, sandy, and disturbed sites. It prefers full sun and tolerates drought once established. Underground rhizomes allow it to spread, forming thickets that are excellent for wildlife cover and erosion control. In small gardens, use root barriers or mow around clumps to keep it from spreading beyond its intended space.
Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is another popular variety native to North America. Unlike staghorn sumac, smooth sumac has smooth, hairless branches and leaf stalks, giving it a sleek, polished appearance. It is found from dry prairies and roadsides to open woods and rocky slopes, demonstrating its ability to adapt to different soil types and climates.
One of the standout features of smooth sumac is its spectacular fall foliage. The pinnate leaves transition from vibrant green in summer to fiery shades of orange, red, and purple in autumn, creating an impressive display of color. Smooth sumac also produces dense clusters of crimson berries that persist into winter, attracting birds, pollinators, and small wildlife.
Like staghorn, the berries of smooth sumac can be dried and ground into a tart spice powder, often used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. The spice adds a bright, lemony sourness that pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and grain dishes. Smooth sumac has also been used in traditional plant medicine for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, though any medicinal use should be approached with care and proper guidance.
Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is a delightful, low-growing sumac known for the pleasant fragrance released when its leaves or stems are crushed. Native to much of North America, it thrives on sunny banks, rocky slopes, and open woodlands, making it ideal for challenging sites and naturalized landscapes.
This compact shrub features dense foliage and small, trifoliate leaves that turn glowing shades of yellow, orange, and red in fall. In spring, fragrant sumac produces tiny yellowish flowers that are followed by fuzzy red berries on female plants. These berries persist into winter and provide both visual interest and an important food source for birds and small mammals.
Fragrant sumac is tough, low-maintenance, and tolerant of dry, rocky, or thin soils where other shrubs may struggle. It is often used as a groundcover on slopes to control erosion or as a wildlife-friendly hedge along property lines and woodland edges. Once established, it needs minimal supplemental water.
Winged sumac (Rhus copallina), sometimes called shining sumac, is native to the eastern and southeastern United States. It is named for the “wings” along the leaf stems—narrow flanges of tissue between the leaflets that give the plant a distinctive, finely textured look.
This species forms upright clumps 6–15 feet tall and spreads slowly by suckers. Glossy green summer foliage turns brilliant orange-red in fall, rivaling staghorn and smooth sumac for autumn color. Late-summer flower clusters mature into dark red seed heads that persist into winter and feed songbirds and game birds.
Winged sumac thrives in dry, acidic, and sandy soils, making it a useful shrub for re-vegetating road cuts, old fields, or degraded sites. It is also planted in native hedgerows, pollinator gardens, and mixed shrub borders. As with other sumacs, clumps can be thinned or cut back periodically to maintain size and rejuvenate growth.
Sicilian sumac (Rhus coriaria) is native to the Mediterranean region, especially southern Italy and the Middle East. This species is best known for its bright red berries, which are harvested and dried to make the culinary sumac spice used in Sicilian, Turkish, and Middle Eastern dishes.
Sicilian sumac is a small, deciduous tree or large shrub with feathered leaves that turn shades of yellow and orange in autumn. After flowering, the tree produces dense clusters of small, deep red berries. These are harvested fully ripe, dried, and ground into a lemony, slightly tart powder that brightens salads, grilled meats, and rice dishes.
This plant is naturally drought-tolerant and thrives in hot, dry, Mediterranean climates with well-drained, often rocky soils. In suitable regions, Sicilian sumac makes an excellent dual-purpose plant for ornamental use and home spice production. As always, be certain of identification and avoid confusing it with non-edible or toxic species.
Skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata) is a low, spreading shrub native to western North America. It gets its name from the strong, sometimes skunk-like scent released when the leaves are crushed. While the smell may be off-putting to people, it does little to deter wildlife that rely on the plant for food and cover.
Skunkbush forms dense thickets with lobed, three-part leaves that turn shades of yellow, orange, and red in fall. In spring, small yellow flowers appear, followed by small red berries that persist into winter. These fruits are eaten by birds and mammals, and historically have been used in foods and beverages by Indigenous peoples.
Extremely hardy and long-lived, skunkbush prefers dry, rocky, or gravelly soils and full sun. It is widely used in xeriscaping, roadside plantings, and reclamation work where low water use and erosion-control are priorities. Its deep roots stabilize slopes, and its dense branching structure provides excellent nesting and escape cover for wildlife.
Littleleaf sumac (Rhus microphylla) is a compact species native to the south-central United States and northern Mexico. As its name suggests, it is characterized by small, elliptical leaflets that give the shrub a fine, delicate texture. This variety is an excellent choice for small gardens, courtyards, and tight urban spaces.
Littleleaf sumac typically reaches 6–10 feet in height and spread. Its foliage is dark green during the growing season and, like other sumac varieties, turns shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Small clusters of red berries develop in mid- to late summer, providing a valuable food source for birds and wildlife.
In addition to its compact size and attractive appearance, littleleaf sumac is notably low-maintenance. It grows well in dry, rocky, or sandy soils and tolerates heat and drought. It is also highly resistant to common pests and diseases that affect neglected landscapes and weed-infested sites, making it a reliable choice for low-input, water-wise plantings.
Desert sumac (Rhus ovata and related species) is a hardy shrub native to the arid regions of southwestern North America. Often evergreen or semi-evergreen, it is well adapted to desert conditions and is valued for its ability to withstand extreme heat, intense sun, and prolonged drought.
Desert sumac bears small, leathery leaves that remain green throughout the year, providing a lush, year-round backdrop in water-wise landscapes. The leaves may have a slightly sticky or aromatic surface and a toothed margin. Clusters of creamy flowers are followed by red, sticky berries that persist and feed birds and other wildlife during the dry season.
Once established, desert sumac requires very little supplemental watering. Its extensive root system helps stabilize slopes and desert washes, making it a valuable plant for erosion control in landscapes prone to runoff and flash flooding from intense summer monsoons. It is an excellent candidate for xeriscaping, habitat gardens, and restoration projects in arid and semi-arid regions.
From the shores of the Great Lakes to the deserts of the Southwest and hillsides of the Mediterranean, sumac trees and shrubs offer an impressive range of forms, colors, and uses. Taller species such as staghorn, smooth, and winged sumac are ideal for naturalized hedgerows, screening, and bold fall displays, while compact species like fragrant, littleleaf, and desert sumac shine in foundation plantings, rock gardens, and water-wise designs.
When planting sumac, choose a sunny site with well-drained soil and plan for the plant’s mature spread—many species sucker and slowly expand into colonies. Combine ornamental varieties with native grasses and pollinator-friendly perennials to create a wildlife-rich, low-maintenance planting. In climates where water resources are limited, drought-tolerant species such as desert sumac and littleleaf sumac can provide long-lived structure with minimal irrigation.
Always verify the correct species when foraging or planting sumac for food or spice, and avoid contact with poison sumac and other irritant species. With proper identification and thoughtful placement, the many varieties of sumac can bring brilliant color, ecological value, and even culinary interest to gardens, farms, and restoration projects.
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