Source: David J Stang
Plant Names
Rhus aromatica
Fragrant Sumac
Sumac aromatique
Synonyms
aromatic sumac
lemon sumac
skunkbrush
sweet sumac
sumac odorant
Plant Characteristics
Couleur de floraison: Jaune
Bloom Period: Apr - May
Hauteur max: 12,0 feet
Max Width: 6,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Vivace
des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Plant is
dioecious
Need a male and female plant to produce seeds
Gardener Experience:
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for school gardens
Can be used as a hedge
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Supports birds
Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant causes skin rashes
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante
Faits intéressants
Fragrant Sumac has aromatic leaves that smell citrus-like when crushed. It produces small yellow flowers in spring followed by red berries in summer. Its glossy green leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and purple in autumn. It grows naturally in dry woodlands, rocky slopes, and open areas. It tolerates dry, poor soils and difficult sites. It is very drought tolerant once established and can be pruned to maintain size.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Oui
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Thrives in Ecozones
- Plaines à forêts mixtes
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Rhus aromatica
-
Acronicta rubricoma
Ruddy Dagger - Acronicte à virgules rougeâtres -
Cingilia catenaria
Chain-dotted geometer - Arpenteuse caténaire
Specialized Bees Supported by Rhus aromatica
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
- Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
- Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
- Forsythieae (Forsythia)
- Diervilla (Non-Native Honeysuckle)
- Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan Balsam)
- Cotnius (Smokebush)
- Impatiens balsamina (Impatiens Balsamina)
- Berberis (Barberry)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
- Sow by February
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Pour boiling water over seed and soak for 24 hrs. Scarify.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: July
- Harvesting indicator:
- Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
- Harvesting:
- Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
- Seed viability test:
- Pas de test requis avant le don
- Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
- Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Inadequate information on toxicity found.
Canadensis