Fragrant sumac (with a poisonous relative!)

Scientific name: “Rhus aromatica”

From Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=l980 »
“Flower: Insignificant
Leaf: Fragrant, Good Fall
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Fruit: Showy
Tolerate: Rabbit, Drought, Erosion, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil

“Fragrant sumac is a deciduous … shrub which occurs in open woods, glades and thickets… A dense, low-growing, rambling shrub which spreads by root suckers to form thickets in the wild. Typically grows 2-4' tall (less frequently to 6') and spreads to 10' wide. Trifoliate, medium green leaves turn attractive shades of orange, red and purple in autumn. Leaves and twigs are aromatic when bruised (hence the species name). Although smaller, the leaves resemble in appearance those of the related poison ivy (Rhus radicans). However fragrant sumac is a totally non-poisonous plant. Tiny yellow flowers bloom at the twig tips in early spring before the foliage. Separate male flowers (in catkins) and female flowers (in clusters) appear on the same plants (monoecious) or, more commonly, on different plants (dioecious). Male catkins form in late summer and persist throughout the winter until eventually blooming in spring. Female flowers give way in late summer to small clusters of hairy, red berries which may persist into winter. Fruit is attractive to wildlife.”

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Rhus_aromatica&rank=binomial

1 year ago (“Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont, Ohio”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-06-23
2 years ago (“Angel Wings”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-06-23
3 years ago (“Snowberry clearwing”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-06-23
4 years ago (“Another butterfly? I’m sorry! Only 5 frames today”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-23
5 years ago (“Daylily … at night”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-06-23

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