Rhus typhina - Staghorn Sumac, Velvet Sumac, Vinegar Tree Seeds

Description

Rhus typhina, commonly known as Staghorn Sumac, is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. It is named for its young branches, which are covered in a dense, reddish-brown velvet-like hair, resembling the velvet on a stag’s antlers.

The tree is highly valued for its dramatic ornamental features. In the autumn, its large, compound leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and scarlet. In summer, female plants produce striking, upright, cone-shaped clusters of fuzzy, crimson berries that can persist through the winter, providing a distinctive visual accent against the snow. Staghorn Sumac spreads vigorously by root suckers and is often grown for its ability to form dense colonies, making it useful for naturalized areas or for controlling erosion on slopes.