Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Anacardiaceae>Rhus aromatica Aiton var. aromatica

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Fragrant Sumac is a rare medium-sized shrub of dry woodlands, with pleasantly fragrant foliage. In North Carolina it is primarily found in the Piedmont region, where it is occasional.

Wake Co., NC 5/23/2009.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

The leaves, which do not cause irritation, resemble those of Atlantic Poison-Oak (Toxicodendron pubescens) and Eastern Poison-Ivy (T. radicans), but the petiolule of the terminal leaflet is much shorter, the same length as the lateral petiolules. In Toxicodendron species, the terminal leaflet's petiolule is much longer than the lateral ones.

Wake Co., NC 5/23/2009.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) leaves

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

The fruits are red; those of Toxicodendron are white when mature.

Wake Co., NC 5/23/2009.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Wake Co., NC 5/23/2009.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Wake Co., NC 5/23/2009.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Wake Co., NC 5/30/2011.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) fruits

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) fruits

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) fruits

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) fruits

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Fragrant Sumac is most common in areas with basic bedrock.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Granville Co., NC 5/25/09.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Young leaves.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

The photo at left shows staminate (male) flower buds.

Planted shrub originally from Sharpsburg, MD, photographed in Chapel Hill, NC 8/24/08.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Staminate flowers.

The small flowers are yellowish.

Planted shrub, Chapel Hill, NC 4/5/09.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

We have var. aromatica in NC; there are two other varieties in the midwestern states.

Staminate flowers.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/13/2002.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Staminate flowers.

Botetourt Co., VA 4/19/05.

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) bark

Bark detail.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/5/09.

More information:
U Connecticut
USDA PLANTS Database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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