Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Bruce Marlin
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Genus:
- Rhus
- Species:
- Rhus aromatica
- USDA Symbol:
- RHAR4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hemileuca chinatiensis, spotted datana (Datana perspicua), Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:spotted datana (Datana perspicua), Stigmella intermedia, White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) Butterflies:Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici), Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire. Often increases in abundance after prescribed burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in rocky or sandy soils typical of prairies and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have hard seed coat requiring scarification followed by warm then cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified using either mechanical methods or a concentrated sulfuric acid bath. After scarification, seeds are cold stratified at 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 days.
Establishment: Rhus aromatica is found throughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States. It occupies a wide range of habitats, typically those with gravelly or fast draining soils. The seeds are typically sourced locally and the fruit is a deep red drupe containing a single seed. Mature seeds are hard, dark grey, oval, and 2.5 mm long.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 10°C. * soak in 90°C water for 24 hours to leach out germination inhibitors