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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