Shining sumac is a very adaptable, large, colony-forming shrub to small tree used in groups in the shrub border, as a large bank cover, or in naturalizing areas. The shining dark green foliage turns a flaming red to red-purple in the fall. In addition, female plants produce terminal clusters of greenish-yellow flowers that mature into clusters of small, red hairy fruits in September and October. An excellent plant for poor dry soils. This species is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region.
Size and Form:
This large shrub or small tree can grow 20 to 35 feet high and wide. It produces suckers which can lead to a large thicket of plants.
Native geographic location and habitat:
Native to the eastern and central United States, shining sumac is often found in sandy or rocky woodland borders and savannas. C-Value: 6.
Bark color and texture:
Bark is smooth, silvery gray to light brown with raised lenticels. Older stems develop a peeling bark.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:
Alternate, compound leaves are pinnate, consisting of 7 to 21 leaflets. The central leaf stalk is winged between each pair of leaflets. The shiny, dark green foliage turns a bright scarlet to crimson red in fall.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size:
Tiny, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in terminal panicles in late spring to early summer. Plants have male and female flowers usually occurring on separate plants (dioecious).
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:
Pollinated female flowers produce showy fruiting clusters up to 8 inches long. Each cluster contains numerous hairy, berry-like fruit (drupes) which ripen in autumn, gradually turning maroon-brown as they persist through much of the winter. Fruit is attractive to wildlife.
Plant care:
Shining sumac is a very adaptable, colony-forming shrub that is best in full sun for excellent fall color. Requires well drained soil. Prune back stems to control spreading.
List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:
Leaf spots, aphids, scale insects, and verticillium wilt can be problems. Tolerant of black walnut toxicity and aerial salt spray.
This plant is a cultivar of a species that is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research. Cultivars are plants produced in cultivation by selective breeding or via vegetative propagation from wild plants identified to have desirable traits.
Prairie Flame™ shining sumac (Rhus copallina var. latifolia ‘Morton’):
This male cultivar is a non-fruiting clone with very dark green, glossy foliage, which turns brilliant red in the fall, and grows 5 to 6 feet high and up to 10 feet wide, with a compact, mounding form. Showy panicles of gold flowers do not produce seeds. A Chicagoland Grows® introduction.
