Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Rhus glabra Linnaeus
(Smooth Sumac)


Family: Anacardiaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Rhus cismontana Greene
Rhus glabra Linnaeus var. cismontana (Greene) Deniels
Rhus sorbifolia Greene

Rhus glabra forms a medium sized shrub with compound leaves with 13-27 dentate leaflets. The flowers are small and yellow-green. The fruits, covered with short red hairs, form tight clusters which can persist through the winter on the branch. Rhus glabra is a forest edge species, as it does not tolerate shade well. The leaves turn bright red in the fall.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Rhus glabra, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Rt. 15 near McMillan Campground, July 2, 2007



Rhus glabra, fall appearance, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Rt. 15 near Cherry Creek Campground, Oct. 1, 2008



Rhus glabra, spring growth with last year's fruit still persisting, photo Russ Kleinman & Carey Anne Lafferty, Mogollon Range, Mineral Creek, April 26, 2009



Rhus glabra, closeup of flowers, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Cherry Creek Campground, July 2, 2009



Rhus glabra, winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, McMillen Campground, December 30, 2009



Rhus glabra, terminal bud and leaf scar on winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, McMillen Campground, December 30, 2009



Rhus glabra, terminal bud and leaf scar on winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, McMillen Campground, December 30, 2009



Rhus glabra, appearance of fruits on winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, McMillen Campground, December 30, 2009



Rhus glabra, macro of single globose fruit with short red hairs, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, McMillen Campground, December 30, 2009


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