Shining Sumac
Rhus copallinum
Also listed as Schmaltzia copallina, Sumacus copallina
Also known as Winged Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac, Eastern Winged Sumac
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub prized for its winged leaflets and brilliant red fall foliage. Produces small yellowish flowers followed by red drupes that persist into winter.
Why grow it
Shining sumac offers reliable fall color and winter interest in a native deciduous shrub suitable for a range of soil conditions. Its winged petioles (rachis) distinguish it from other eastern North American sumacs, and the persistent red fruit provides food for wildlife through the colder months. The species tolerates drought and poor soils better than many ornamental shrubs, making it useful for erosion control or naturalized settings where summer irrigation is unavailable.
Watch out for
In areas with high humidity, powdery mildew can affect foliage quality, particularly in shaded locations with poor air circulation. The plant spreads readily by root suckers and seed in favorable conditions, so site it where lateral spread can be managed or monitored rather than in contained plantings where aggressive removal may become necessary.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its winged leaflets and brilliant red fall foliage. Produces small yellowish flowers followed by red drupes that persist into winter.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Shining Sumac grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Shining sumac offers reliable fall color and winter interest in a native deciduous shrub suitable for a range of soil conditions. Its winged petioles (rachis) distinguish it from other eastern North American sumacs, and the persistent red fruit provides food for wildlife through the colder months. The species tolerates drought and poor soils better than many ornamental shrubs, making it useful for erosion control or naturalized settings where summer irrigation is unavailable.
Watch out for
In areas with high humidity, powdery mildew can affect foliage quality, particularly in shaded locations with poor air circulation. The plant spreads readily by root suckers and seed in favorable conditions, so site it where lateral spread can be managed or monitored rather than in contained plantings where aggressive removal may become necessary.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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