Smooth Sumac
Rhus glabra
Also known as: Hybrid Sumac
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Eric Hunt
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Genus:
- Rhus
- Species:
- Rhus glabra
- USDA Symbol:
- RHGL
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)
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 rhizomes after fire. Often increases in density following burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.5 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adaptable to various soil types but prefers dry conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Acid scarification or mechanical scarification followed by cold stratification improves germination. Seeds may have variable dormancy.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified using a sulfuric acid bath, then immediately imbibed in water for 3 days. After pretreatment, seeds are naturally stratified by fall sowing. Some protocols suggest boiling the seed for 1 minute or mechanical scarification.
Establishment: Seeds are typically collected in the fall and stored. Some protocols suggest using a fungicide and endomycorrhizae. There are regional variations in collection and sowing times, and some protocols suggest different scarification methods.
Source: npn.rngr.net