fragrant sumac
Rhus aromatica Aiton
Fragrant sumac spreads sideways as readily as upward. Root suckers and stems that root where they touch the ground can build a dense, low colony. Crushing its foliage releases a lemony scent, while autumn changes the green canopy to shades of orange, red and purple. NC State Extension: Rhus aromatica
Botanical name
Kew accepts Rhus aromatica Aiton, first published in 1789. Kew Plants of the World Online: Rhus aromatica
Recognizing the plant
Leaves consist of three coarsely toothed leaflets, with the terminal leaflet larger than the other two. Young twigs can be hairy and follow a zigzag course. Small greenish-yellow flowers are grouped in short clusters; male and female flowers may occur on the same shrub or on separate plants. The resulting fruits are rounded to oval, red and conspicuously hairy, each enclosing a hard stone. NC State Extension: Rhus aromatica
Bloom window
North Carolina
Flowers appear in March and April before the leaves expand. NC State Extension: Rhus aromatica
Native range
Native to North America, the species occurs in open woodland and thickets. North Carolina Extension describes its geographic range as extending from eastern Canada into Mexico. Kew Plants of the World Online: Rhus aromaticaNC State Extension: Rhus aromatica
Ecological relationships
Robins, flickers, grouse and wild turkeys eat the fruits, as do small mammals including chipmunks and opossums. NC State Extension: Rhus aromatica
Botanical sources
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.