Rhus typhina Stag's horn sumach (Anacardiaceae) Deciduous shrub

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Rhus typhina
Stag's horn sumach
Deciduous shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Rhus typhina plant species is found in Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to the southern Appalachian mountains and west to Iowa. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Stag's horn sumach. Some home gardeners know the variety as R. hirta. non Engl. R. viridiflora.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Rhus typhina
Common Name:  Stag's horn sumach
Family:  Anacardiaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  There are some suggestions that the sap of this species can cause a skin rash in susceptible people, but this has not been substantiated. See also notes in 'Cultivation Details'.

Mature Height:  6   Mature Width:  6

Habitat:  Usually found in upland sites on rich soils, but it is also found in gravel and sandy nutrient-poor soils. It grows by streams and swamps, along roadsides, railway embankments and edges of woods[229].

Edible Uses: Fruit - cooked[22, 62]. A very sour flavour, they are used in pies[183]. The fruit is rather small and with very little flesh, but it is produced in quite large clusters and so is easily harvested. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[55, 85, 95. 101, 102, 183]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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