Family: Anacardiaceae
fragrant sumac, squaw-bush
Etymology: Rhus: derived from rhous, an ancient Greek name for Sumac
Plants: perennial, bushy, rounded, up to 7' tall shrub with many branches; bark smooth; often forming thickets
Leaves: alternate, divided into 3 mostly stalkless leaflets aromatic when crushed
Flowers: pale yellow to greenish, blooming April-July; in short, spike-like clusters from the axils; appearing before or with the leaves
Fruits: bright red, densely hairy, less than 1/4" round berry
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Plants: perennial, bushy, rounded, up to 7' tall shrub with many branches; bark smooth; often forming thickets
Leaves: alternate, divided into 3 mostly stalkless leaflets aromatic when crushed
Flowers: pale yellow to greenish, blooming April-July; in short, spike-like clusters from the axils; appearing before or with the leaves
Fruits: bright red, densely hairy, less than 1/4" round berry
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 10 WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin listed species including state and federal status, photos, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada" Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest; UW-Extension: Interactive guide providing information on cultivation including: soil, zone, growth rate, landscape uses, pruning, light requirements; with photos and Latin name pronounciation