staghorn sumac

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. It is characterized by velvety-pubescent branches and flower stalks, with leaves that turn brilliant red in the fall. The plant produces dense panicles of greenish-yellow flowers followed by hairy crimson fruits.1

Sumacs, in general, are shrubs and small trees belonging to the cashew family. They have been historically used for dyes, medicines, and beverages, with some species' dried fruits used as a spice in Middle Eastern cuisine. Sumac leaves are typically compound and arranged in spirals, and their flowers are small with five petals, borne in dense panicles or spikes. The fruits are red drupes, also in dense upright clusters. Many sumac species can spread via rhizomes.2