Family: Anacardiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Cent. Pl. II: 14 (1756)
Year: 1756
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Rhus
Vegetable: False
Observations: E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Virginia sumac, scientifically known as Rhus typhina, is a striking and versatile plant that belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. This deciduous shrub is notable for its vibrant foliage and distinctive fruit clusters, which make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens as well as natural landscapes.
Native to Eastern Canada, North Carolina, and the Eastern United States, Virginia sumac typically thrives in a variety of environments, ranging from dry, rocky soils to more fertile, well-drained sites. Its adaptability and resilience have ensured its widespread distribution across these regions, where it forms part of the natural flora.
One of the most appealing characteristics of Virginia sumac is its foliage, which undergoes a dramatic transformation throughout the seasons. In the spring and summer, the leaves are a lush, green color, composed of finely serrated leaflets that form a feather-like appearance. As autumn approaches, the foliage turns into a brilliant palette of red, orange, and yellow, creating a vibrant display that makes the plant a focal point in any landscape.
In addition to its foliage, Virginia sumac is also renowned for its unique fruit clusters. The plant produces dense, cone-shaped panicles of small, red berries that persist well into the winter months. These berries are not only visually appealing but also provide a valuable food source for various bird species, making Virginia sumac an ecologically significant plant.
Historically, Rhus typhina was first described in Cent. Pl. II: 14 (1756) by the author L. Its introduction to scientific literature during this period marked the beginning of its recognition and study within botanical circles.
As a member of the Anacardiaceae family, Virginia sumac shares certain traits with other related species, including its ability to grow and spread through suckers, forming large colonies over time. This characteristic can be both a benefit and a challenge in managing its growth within a garden or landscape setting.
Overall, Virginia sumac is a plant of considerable interest and utility, noted for its ornamental qualities, ecological value, and adaptability. Whether used in formal garden designs or more natural, ecological restorations, Rhus typhina continues to be a cherished and impactful species within its native range.
Common Names
Dan: almindelig hjortetakstræ, hjortetaktræ
Deu: essigbaum, hirschkolben-sumach, kolben-sumach, kolben-sumach, essigbaum, sumach
Nld: fluweelboom, azijnboom
Ita: sommacco maggiore
Eng: stag’s-horn sumach, staghorn sumac, velvet sumac, virginia sumac, vinegar tree
Fra: sumac, sumac amarante, sumac devirginie, sumac vinaigrier, sumac amaranthe, vinaigrier
Pol: sumak octowiec
Hun: amerikai ecetfa, torzsás szömörce
Est: harilik sumahh
Lav: parastais etiķkoks
Swe: rönnsumak
Ces: sumach pálkový, škumpa orobincová
Cym: siwmac
En: Virginia sumac, Stag’s-horn sumach, Staghorn sumac, Velvet sumac, Vinegar tree, Stag’s-horn Sumac
Ar: سماق قرني
Be: Сумах аленярогі
Bg: Влакнест шмак
Zh: 火炬树, 火炬漆
Hr: Kiseli ruj
Cs: Škumpa orobincová, Sumach pálkový
Da: Hjortetaktræ, Almindelig hjortetakstræ
Nl: Fluweelboom, Azijnboom
Et: Harilik sumahh
Fi: Samettisumakki
Fr: Sumac amarante, Sumac deVirginie, Sumac vinaigrier, Sumac de Virginie, Sumac, Sumac amaranthe, Vinaigrier, Sumac hérissé
Ka: Ძმრის ხე
De: Kolben-Sumach, Essigbaum, Hirschkolben-Sumach, Kolben-Sumach, Essigbaum, Sumach, Hirschkolben Sumach
Hu: Ecetfa, Amerikai ecetfa, Torzsás szömörce
It: Sommacco maggiore, Scotano d’America, Sommacco americano
Lv: Etiķkoks, Parastais etiķkoks
Lt: Rūgštusis žagrenis
No: Hjortesumak
Fa: سماق آمریکایی
Pl: Sumak octowiec
Ro: Oțetar roșu
Ru: Сумах оленерогий
Sr: Кисели руј
Sk: Sumach pálkový
Es: Octovec, Zumaque de Virginia
Sv: Rönnsumak
Zh-tw: 火炬樹
Zh-hant: 火炬樹
Cy: Siwmac
Synonyms
- Rhus typhina var. arborescens (Willd.)
- Rhus typhina f. dissecta (Rehder)
- Schmaltzia hirta ((L.) Small)
- Rhus americana (Dippel)
- Datisca hirta (L.)
- Rhus typhina f. laciniata ((Alph.Wood) Rehder)
- Rhus typhia (Crantz)
- Toxicodendron typhinum ((L.) Kuntze)
- Rhus typhina var. filicifolia (Demcker)
- Rhus gracilis (Engl.)
- Rhus typhina var. laciniata (Alph.Wood)
- Rhus virginiana (Garsault)
- Rhus hirta f. typhina ((L.) Reveal)
- Rhus typhina var. frutescens (Willd.)
- Rhus hirta f. dissecta ((Rehder) Reveal)
- Rhus typhina var. filicina (Sprenger)
- Rhus typhina var. viridiflora (Engl.)
- Rhus viridiflora (Duhamel)
- Rhus hirta var. typhina ((L.) Farw.)
- Rhus hirta var. laciniata (C.K.Schneid.)
- Rhus hirta var. dissecta ((Rehder) Nash)
- Rhus filicifolia (Demcker)
- Rhus hypselodendrum (Moench)
- Rhus viridiflora var. canadensis ((Mill.) Poir.)
- Rhus frutescens (G.Nicholson)
- Rhus canadensis (Mill.)
- Rhus hirta ((L.) Sudw.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Austria (introduced)
- Bulgaria (introduced)
- China North-Central (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kazakhstan (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Poland (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- South European Russi (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Yugoslavia (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by k sch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by k sch (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 29, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2022 by ben bondzio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 29, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Oct 30, 2015 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Sinan Avcı (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by k sch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 16, 2022 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 26, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 16, 2018 by Christian TANGUY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 26, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 26, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Tommaso Bacci (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 2, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 1, 2020 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 19, 2021 by Helena Del Pozo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Marieke Wiersma (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 1, 2020 by Manu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3190538)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:70939-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rhus typhina L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Shrub, Tree
Growth
Light: 7