fragrant sumac Anacardiaceae Rhus
aromatica Aiton
symbol: RHAR4
Leaf: Alternate, 3 large toothed leaflets, 3 to 5 inches long, terminal leaflet short-stalked, dull dark green above, paler below, fragrant odor when crushed.
Flower: Quite small, greenish yellow, in small round clusters; appearing in late spring to early summer.
Fruit: Round cluster of reddish brown, fuzzy drupes, each 1/4 inch across, ripen in mid to late summer.
Twig: Slender, brown, finely fuzzy, buds small and yellowish brown surrounded by a circular leaf scars. Flower buds occur in conspicuous, tight catkin-like clusters.
Bark: Gray-brown and tight, initially smooth with obvious lenticels, later developing peeling splits.
Form: Short sprawling shrub 2 to 4 feet tall.
Looks like: poison-ivy
- poison-oak
- skunkbush sumac