Rhus Species, Rocky Mountain Sumac, Smooth Sumac, Upland Sumac (Rhus glabra)

Young growth of the Smooth sumac, Rhus glabra, is red-tinged and quite pretty. This taken in mid May, west KY



Smooth Sumac is one of the first plants to change color in early fall. Its fantastic bright red makes it easy to identify.


The flowers are very small and a greenish-white color.
They grow in large clusters.

Smooth Sumac fruit in British Columbia, Canada, July 1997

Smooth Sumac flowers in British Columbia, Canada, July 1997

The leaves turn colors very early as shown here starting to turn in late September.

Blooms of the Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra, starting to form in mid May, west KY

The stems and leaves of the smooth sumac are slick and hairless, as opposed to the Staghorn Sumac, which have a covering of velvety hairs.

Close-up of the flowering bracts of Smooth Sumac. Mid June, west KY

Smooth Sumac has a thick, sweet fragrance and is an absolute insect magnet

Smooth Sumac at Veterans Park, Arlington, Texas.

A 'sticky' substance exudes, as the berries form and begin to dry.

Many leaflets .. each with toothed edges.

Late Spring

Late Fall Colors

Rhus glabra, Smooth Sumac.

Smooth Sumac,Rhus glabra, a group of trees growing by a creek.

Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra, with berries beginning to ripen.

Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra, close up of a berry cluster.

Smooth Sumac

Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra, in Fall splendor at Molly Hollar Wildscape.

Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra, small tree found at a nature preserve in Arlington, Texas.


Sumac growing wild under a powerline right-of-way near Dayton, Tennessee.

May 7, 2010, early summer, zone 9b. A volunteer in my yard a few years ago.

Here is a picture of the whole tree in full bloom. Alabama, first week of June.

Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle WA

A maturing shrub in southeast PA in late May 2015

The developing flower cluster and foliage in late May 2015 in se PA

Fall color in my backyard in October 2012 in se PA

Smooth Sumac fall color

Smooth Sumac fall color

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About
Rhus Species, Rocky Mountain Sumac, Smooth Sumac, Upland Sumac
Rhus glabra
Type: | Herbs, Shrubs, Trees |
Height: | 4-20 ft. | 1.2-6 m |
Conditions: | Zone 2-9, Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade, Partial to Full Shade |