Rhus glabra - Smooth Sumac

Rhus glabra - Smooth SumacSizes available: TBD, coming in 2026 Basics: zones 3 9, sun to part shade, 9 15' (possibly taller) x 9 15', tiny green flowers in early to mid summer are followed by edible, reddish orange drupes (berries) on the female plants, VERY adaptable, drought tolerant and does not require rich soils. This plant is dioecious. Common names: Smooth Sumac, White Sumac, Upland Sumac, Scarlet Sumac Family: Anacardiaceae Origin Distribution: This plant is native to

Sizes available: TBD, coming in 2026

Basics: zones 3-9, sun to part shade, 9-15' (possibly taller) x 9-15', tiny green flowers in early to mid summer are followed by edible, reddish-orange drupes (berries) on the female plants, VERY adaptable, drought tolerant and does not require rich soils. This plant is dioecious. 

Common names: Smooth Sumac, White Sumac, Upland Sumac, Scarlet Sumac

Family: Anacardiaceae

Origin/Distribution: This plant is native to most of Canada and all of the U.S. as well as northeastern Mexico. Native to Maine.

Habitat: Found everywhere from dry slopes to stream banks, fields, roadsides, wood's edge, and waste places like abandoned railroad tracks.

More: Dioecious. The fruit, bark, and leaves have been used medicinally, edible, provides fiber and dye, used in smoking mixtures. Be careful not to confuse this plant with Poison Sumac. Poison Sumac has white fruits and its leaves do not have toothed edges. Poison Sumac also tends to be located on swampy ground. Part of fall arrangements, larval host, erosion control. More information coming soon.

Source: whips from Cold Stream Farm grown on at Honey Petal Plants

Image credits: illustration from Wikimedia Commons; close-up of fruit courtesy of Wendell Smith via Creative Commons through the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.