<!-- Comment -->{{Short description|Species of shrub}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}} {{speciesbox | image = Rhus aromatica foliage catkins.jpg | image_caption = '''Fragrant sumac''': Autumnal color | genus = Rhus | species = aromatica | authority = L. }}
'''''Rhus aromatica''''', commonly known as '''fragrant sumac''', '''smooth sumac,''' '''aromatic sumac''', '''lemon sumac''', '''skunk bush, polecat bush''', '''polecat sumac''', or simply '''sumac''',<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) {{!}} USDA Plants Database |url=https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/RHAR4 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=plants.usda.gov}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Rhus aromatica {{!}} North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox |url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhus-aromatica/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205012336/https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhus-aromatica/ |archive-date=2025-02-05 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=plants.ces.ncsu.edu}}</ref> is a deciduous shrub in the family Anacardiaceae native to North America.<ref name=Guide>(1) {{cite web|first1=Guy|last1=Nesom|author2=USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center|author3=Biota of North America Program (BONAP) |url=https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_rhar4.pdf |title=Plant Guide for Fragrant Sumac: ''Rhus aromatica'' Ait. |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service|access-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914011718/https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_rhar4.pdf|archive-date=September 14, 2021|url-status=live}}<br />(2) {{cite web|url=https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/fragrant-sumac/#more-information|title=Fragrant sumac: Rhus aromatica|location=Lisle, Illinois|publisher=Morton Arboretum|access-date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> It is native to southern and eastern Canada, most of the contiguous United States, and Mexico.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=BONAP>{{BONAP|ref|genus=Rhus|species=aromatica|accessdate=20 April 2019}}</ref>
== Description == Fragrant sumac is a woody plant with a rounded form that grows to around {{convert|2|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} to {{convert|5|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|5|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} to {{convert|10|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wide. The plant develops yellow flowers in clusters on short lateral shoots in March through May. The flower is a small, dense inflorescence that usually opens before the plant's leaves do.<ref name=Guide/> Flowers and drupes appear earlier in the year than on other Sumac species.<ref name=":1" />
The species is polygamodioecious, which means that it is mostly dioecious, primarily bearing flowers of only one sex, but with either a few flowers of the opposite sex or a few bisexual flowers on the same plant. Male (staminate) flowers develop in yellowish catkins, while female (pistillate) flowers develop in short bright yellow panicles at the ends of branches.<ref name=Guide/>
Pollinated flowers develop clusters of {{convert|5|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} to {{convert|7|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} hairy red drupes containing a single nutlet during June through August. The fruits become an important winter food for birds and small mammals that can remain on the plant until spring if not eaten.<ref name=Guide/>
The plant's alternate leaves are usually compound, and have three leaflets that vary in shape, lobing, and margination. There is a single leaf variety that grows in dry areas of SW. North America.<ref name=":4" /> The unstalked leaflets are ovate to rhomboid, more or less wedge-shaped at the base, coarsely-toothed and usually shiny glabrous above. The terminal leaflet is {{convert|3|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} to {{convert|6.5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} long.<ref name=Guide/>
The plant's green to glossy blue-green summer foliage becomes orange to red or purple in the fall. Stems are thin and brownish-gray, with rust-colored lenticels when young. Leaves and stems emit a lemon scent when crushed. There are no terminal buds, but overwintering male catkins are present.<ref name=Guide/>
== Taxonomy == ''Rhus aromatica'' belongs to the plant family ''Anacardiaceae'' and the genus ''Rhus''. ''Rhus'' is a Greek word for Sumac. The specific epithet, ''aromatica'', simply means fragrant.<ref name=":1" />
''Rhus aromatica'' was once considered two species, the western North American one named ''Rhus trilobata''. According to the Oregon State University, College of Agricultural Sciences - Department of Horticulture, "There are no consistent geographical patterns to variations in characteristics, some authorities suggest that ''Rhus aromatica'' is best considered a polymorphic species consisting of only two varieties, the eastern North American form, ''Rhus aromatica var. aromatica'', and the western form, ''Rhus aromatica var. trilobata''."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rhus trilobata {{!}} Landscape Plants {{!}} Oregon State University |url=https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/rhus-trilobata#:~:text=trilobata%20are%20%22ill-scented%22,common%20names%20is%20Fragrant%20Sumac. |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu}}</ref>
'''Subspecies'''
* ''Rhus aromatica'' Aiton var. ''aromatica''<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Rhus aromatica Subordinate taxa {{!}} USDA Plants Database |url=https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/RHAR4/subordinate-taxa |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=plants.usda.gov}}</ref> * ''Rhus aromatica'' Aiton var. ''arenaria'' (Greene) Fernald<ref name=":3" /> * ''Rhus aromatica'' Aiton var. ''serotina'' (Greene) Rehder<ref name=":3" /> * ''Rhus aromatica var. simplicifolia'' (Greene) Cronquist<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Rhus aromatica var. simplicifolia (Greene) Cronquist {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:284256-2 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Plants of the World Online |language=en}}</ref>
Fragrant sumac has trifoliate leaves that resemble those of the related poison ivy (''Toxicodendron radicans'') and poison oak (''Toxicodendron pubescens'').<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-10 |title=Know Your Natives – "Leaves of three, let it be"…usually |url=https://anps.org/2014/06/10/know-your-natives-leaves-of-three-let-it-be-usually/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Arkansas Native Plant Society |language=en}}</ref> However, both poison ivy and poison oak have central leaflet with a leaflet stem, or petiolule, whereas fragrant sumac's does not.<ref>(1) {{cite web |title=Poison Ivy...or not? |work=Ozarks Walkabout |date=April 10, 2012 |url=https://www.ozarkswalkabout.com/poison-ivy-or-not/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528151537/https://www.ozarkswalkabout.com/poison-ivy-or-not/ |archive-date=May 28, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021 |publisher=Davis-Allman |url-status=live}}<br />(2) {{cite web |title=Eastern Poison Ivy vs Fragrant Sumac |url=https://bplant.org/compare/1409-3171 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307084012/https://bplant.org/compare/1409-3171 |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2021 |publisher=bplant.org}}</ref>
== Distribution and habitat == Fragrant sumac is common along the forested eastern margins of the Great Plains and in open or otherwise disturbed sites on the margins of the Gulf Coast prairie. It grows at a range of sites including open rocky woodlands, valley bottoms, lower rocky slopes, and roadsides. It is not widely used for landscape plantings but can be used as a ground cover, especially on banks. The plant's colorful fall foliage is its main ornamental feature.<ref name=Guide/>
The plant grows in deep shade to full sun and well-drained slightly acid soils to well-drained alkaline with a pH range of about 6.0 to 8.5. It has a shallow, fibrous root system and is easily transplanted. Some of its branches can trail upon the ground and develop roots. The plant can ground sucker to form a colony.<ref name=Guide/><ref>{{cite book |last=Highshoe |first=Gary L.|date=1988|title=Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America |location=New York |publisher=Van Nostrand Reinhold|pages=662–663 |isbn=9780471288794}}</ref> Developed thickets provide cover for small mammals and birds.<ref name=":2" />
Rhizomes and roots in the soil allow ''R. aromatica'' to sprout following fire events.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Species: Rhus aromatica |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/rhuaro/all.html#FIRE%20ECOLOGY |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=www.fs.usda.gov}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140"> File:Rhus aromatica 12zz.jpg|Spread File:Rhus aromatica kz15.jpg|Foliage File:Rhus aromatica kz1.JPG|Pistillate inflorescence File:Rhus aromatica 2016-07-19 3281.jpg|Fruit File:Rhus aromatica var. simplicifolia.jpg|The single leaf variety. </gallery>
== Common diseases and pests == Fragrant sumac has no major diseases or pests. It has been known to be affected by leaf spots, rust, aphids, scale, and mites. Nipple galls are a somewhat common problem affecting foliage appearance, but damage is cosmetic.<ref name=":1" /> Cultivars of fragrant sumac, such as Konza, have been found to be resistant to leaf rust and insect damage.<ref name=":2" />
== Uses == Historically, Native American tribes have used fragrant sumac to treat health problems and various illnesses. The ripe berries were made into a tart drink. In addition to this, the leaves and bark were used in leather making due to their high tannin content. To create a smoking mixture, the leaves were combined with tobacco.<ref name=":2" />{{Failed verification|date=February 2025}}
R. aromatica can be used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on embankments or hard-to-cover areas.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rhus aromatica - Plant Finder |url=https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275952 |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=www.missouribotanicalgarden.org}}</ref>
A study showed strong antiviral activity against two types of herpes in vitro using aqueous extractions of ''R. aromatica''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Reichling |first1=J. |last2=Neuner |first2=A. |last3=Neuner |first3=A. |last4=Sharaf |first4=M. |last5=Harkenthal |first5=M. |last6=Schnitzler |first6=P. |date=2009-08-01 |title=Antiviral activity of Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) extract against two types of herpes simplex viruses in cell culture |journal=Die Pharmazie|volume=64 |issue=8 |pages=538–541 |doi=10.1691/ph.2009.9597 |pmid=19746844 |issn=0031-7144}}</ref>
==Conservation status in the United States== ''Rhus aromatica'' is listed as of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. However, this status applies only to native populations.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151023162806/http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/nongame/ETS15.pdf "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015"]. State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 28 January 2018. (Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.)</ref> In Washington, Connecticut, and New Hampshire it is considered introduced.<ref name=BONAP /> Globally, fragrant sumac is listed as G5 or secure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Rhus aromatica'' Fragrant Sumac |work=NatureServe Explorer 2.0 |url=https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.146377/Rhus_aromatica |access-date=2023-12-05}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category}} * http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=f180 {{Taxonbar|from=Q62864}}
aromatica