Brazos County Herbarium

Brazos County Horticulture Extension

Evergreen sumac

Rhus virens

Anacardiaceae (Sumac family)

Description

Evergreen sumac is a large, evergreen shrub. The leaves are compound and alternate and each leaf has 5 to 9 leaflets. The leaflets are paired with one at the tip end; they are dull on the lower surface and shiny on the upper. In the fall they turn dull orange, yellow, or brown.

Its tiny flowers are creamy white and can appear in small clusters. The fruit ripens in early fall and appears in clusters. It is small, flattened, red, and covered with red hairs.

Evergreen sumac has a fair value for wildlife and cattle.

Habitat

Evergreen sumac is found in gullies, along country roads, and on rocky slopes.

Images

[Show slideshow]

Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management

Web Site Maintenance: Megan.Clayton@ag.tamu.edu