Fragrant Sumac – Rhus aromatica

NOTE: This plant may spread by sprouting from its roots so give it enough room and keep an eye on it.

Features: Its common name comes from the aroma its stems give off when crushed. This sumac is smaller and has wider leaves than the other ones. It may grow in an erect shrub form or a lower sprawling form, depending on conditions. [update rest]Native bees, including cute green metallic ones, and other insects get nectar and pollen from the flowers. The caterpillars of Hairstreak and Azure butterflies as well as some moths and beetles, feed on the foliage.

The fruit is a single small seed with a hard coating, borne in red clusters. Birds may eat the seeds and rabbits and deer may browse the foliage in winter. It has attractive yellow and red fall color.

Please note: This plant comes in male and female versions and it is too hard to tell them apart when young, so it's safer to plant several if you want fruit, which the females make.

Light: Full to partial sun

Soil: Dry to medium soil. Ideally sandy and well-drained. Does not like it too wet.

Height: 2-8 feet

Blooms: Mid-spring

Fall color: red, yellow

See more information and photos at: Illinois Wildflowers and Morton Arboretum

Photos:  1 Illinois Wildflowers, 2,3 Possibility Place