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Form/fruit

Foliage/fruit

Anacardiaceae

Littleleaf sumac is widespread in the western three fourths of Texas, preferring dry uplands, rocky river banks and mesas of the desert plains from 2000 to 6000 feet of elevation. It also grows in New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. It has stiff, crooked spinescent twigs with noticeable lenticels. The dull green, miniscule leaves are pinnately compound and have a winged rachis. In the fall they may turn to muted shades of pink and mauve, highlighted by fuzzy orange-red fruits. Before lemons were commonly available these fruits were macerated and steeped in water to make a refreshing drink called sumac ade. Littleleaf sumac takes well to pruning, and in the landscape may be trained as a small tree or used as a hedge or fine textured backdrop. It would be one of the loveliest sumacs for landscape purposes, except in its native habitat where it can be completely stripped of all its leaves by a caterpillar. Various birds enjoy the fruit and it is browsed by mule deer.

Plant Habit or Use: medium shrub
large shrub
small tree

Exposure: sun
partial sun

Flower Color: greenish white

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: reddish orange drupe

Height: 8 feet, rarely 15 feet

Width: 10 to 12 feet

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: alkaline

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Additional Comments: