Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina · Anacardiaceae (Cashew or Sumac family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Odd-pinnately compound, deciduous leaf with 11 to 31 leaflets
Shape
Lanceolate to oblong leaflets with acuminate tips and rounded bases
Margin
Finely serrate (toothed) along the edges
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement of large compound leaves along the velvet-hairy branches
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent, pale central midrib and clearly defined lateral veins on each leaflet
Key Features
Extremely dense, velvety brown hairs covering the young twigs and branches; large odd-pinnately compound leaves with finely toothed margins; dense terminal clusters of hairy, dark red drupes that persist through winter
Description
Staghorn sumac is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 15-30 feet tall, recognized by its distinctively forked branches covered in dense velvety hairs that resemble a male deer's antlers in velvet. It produces large, tropical-looking compound leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, accompanied by dense, upright, cone-shaped clusters of fuzzy dark red fruits.
Habitat
Found in dry, poor soils, rocky hillsides, open woods, abandoned fields, and along forest edges or railroad tracks; requires full sun to partial shade
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, spanning from southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States down through the Appalachian region and into parts of the Midwest