A.k.a. winged sumac, dwarf sumac, and shining sumac. A generally smaller sumac that may runner less prolifically than other species and reliably turns bright red in the fall! Usually 5’-10’ tall, but can reach 20’.

Pollination: Male and female needed.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Mesic, Dry Mesic

Soil Type: Adaptable

Height: 5’-20’

Width: 10’-20’

Bloom Color: Yellow, Green

Bloom Time: Jul, Aug

Fruit: Female plants develop bunches of red drupes (berries) that often linger into the winter.

Fall Color: Red

Root Type: Taproot

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract wasps, flies, and bees. Hosts the red-banded hairstreak and spring azure butterflies, moths including the regal moth, and a few beetles. Birds that feed on the seeds include wild turkey, bobwhite, cardinals, and northern flickers.

Notes: It’s not that much smaller than other tree shaped sumac, not sure why ‘dwarf’ has stuck around as a common name. It’s more likely to stay short in dryer, low nutrient soils.