Virginia Tech Dendrology

lemonade sumac Anacardiaceae Rhus integrifolia (Nutt.) W.H. Brewer & S. Watson symbol: RHIN2
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, elliptical, leathery, 2 to 2 1/2 inches long, entire to toothed (nearly spiny) margin, waxy, shiny green above, paler beneath, fragrant.
Flower: Small (1/4 inch across), 5 white to pink petals, occur in 2 to 3 inch clusters at the end s of the twigs, appearing in late winter and early spring.
Fruit: Elliptical, 1/2 inch across, reddish brown and fuzzy, in tight clusters at the ends of the twigs.
Twig: Moderately stout, reddish and fuzzy, small pointy buds.
Bark: Smooth and grayish brown, develops reddish splits and cracks, eventually coarsely scaly.
Form: Large thicket forming shrub reaching up to 10 feet with a spreading, sprawling.
Looks like: laurel sumac - sugar sumac - hollyleaf cherry

Additional Range Information: Rhus integrifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material © 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information