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Winged Sumac

Rhus copallinum

Also known as: Shining Sumac

Distinctive winged "rachis" between leaflets along the central leaf stalk. Glossy compound leaves turn brilliant scarlet in fall — among the showiest fall-color shrubs. Drought-tolerant pioneer. Listed as *R. copallina* in older sources. Like staghorn sumac, the tart fruit clusters can be soaked into a refreshing, lemonade-like drink.

Family

Anacardiaceae

Type

tree

Lifespan

perennial

Height

7–15 ft

Spacing

10–20 ft apart

Light

sun

Soil moisture

dry, moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

July, August

Bloom colors

yellow, green

Wildlife value

pollinators, songbirds

Caterpillar hosts

~58 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

specimen, hedge or screen, erosion control

Native states

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV