Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Family : Anacardiaceae
Zone: 3 - 8
Zone: 3 - 8
Multiple branched shrub with large compound leaves turning a rainbow of colors early in the fall. Commonly found on field edges, roadsides and forest borders. Can grow to a height of 20 ft at maturity. Easily recognized by the fuzzy deep red fruit clusters at the tip of long branches. These clusters produce a tangy sap which can be boiled to produce a beverage similar to a tart lemonade. Insects enjoy the sap as well and would need to be filtered out prior to consumption. The Anacardiaceae family of plants contain a number of poisonous species such as poison ivy and poison sumac, but also cashews!