hybrid sumac

Rhus glabra

Native to:
Canada, Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Anacardiaceae
Genus:
Rhus
Species:
Rhus glabra
USDA Symbol:
RHBO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
600 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
yellow, green
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

Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Endopiza rhoifructana, Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Luna moth (Actias luna), Major datana (Datana major), Oslar's eacles (Eacles oslari), Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis), Variable antepione (Antepione thisoaria), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata), spotted datana (Datana perspicua), Stigmella intermedia Butterflies:Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals, butterflies, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, orange, scarlet
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from root crown and extensive rhizomes following fire. Often increases in density post-burn.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Scarification followed by cold stratification improves germination. Seeds have hard seed coat requiring acid treatment or mechanical scarification.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI