Toxic Plant Inconnu - Inadequate information on toxicity found.
Image of Rhus aromatica
Source: David J Stang

Plant Names

image of Arbuste
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:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium 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:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
school garden Suitable for school gardens
hedge Can be used as a hedge
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes 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

Distribution: Rhus aromatica
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Rhus aromatica

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.