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| Fragrant Sumac, Aromatic Sumac, Polecat-bush, Squawbush Rhus trilobata Anacardiaceae Fragrant sumac occurs throughout the Trans-Pecos north into the Texas panhandle, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Mexico on gravelly slopes and plains and limestone outcrops. It is a common, thicket-forming, straggly or irregularly branched to upright shrub, to 8 feet tall. The medium to dark olive-green trifoliate leaves turn orange or red in the fall. Small yellowish flowers open in spring, usually prior to leafing out. When the leaves are crushed they are reported to be aromatic, although not pleasantly so. Another common name for it is skunkbush! Rhus trilobata var pilosossima has densely pubescent, greyish to rust colored leaves. The two varieties occur and overlap in the same areas. It has been cultivated since 1877. Rhus trilobata and Rhus aromatica are so similar appearing that they were once classified under the same name.
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub
Exposure: sun Flower Color: yellowish green Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: red, hairy drupe Height: 3 to 8 feet Width: 3 to 4 feet Plant Character: deciduous Heat Tolerance: high Water Requirements:
Soil Requirements: neutral Additional Comments:
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