Littleleaf sumac
Rhus microphylla
Anacardiaceae (Sumac family)
Description
Littleleaf sumac is a deciduous shrub that forms clumps of dense branches that grow to be anywhere from 3 to 10 feet tall. Its dark, stiff, branches are smooth but become rough with age.
The small leaves are dull green, odd-compounded, and have winged rachis. The flowers bloom before the leaves and are whitish in color, clustered, and, like the leaves, are small. Its fruit is tightly clustered, slightly hairy, round, and reddish-orange in color.
Littleleaf sumac's fruit is eaten by birds and rodents and the leaves are occasionally browsed by deer. It serves little purpose for livestock.
Habitat
Littleleaf sumac grows in many soil types but prefers rocky or gravelly soils and open alkali flats.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Flower Color: White
Seed Type: Bean/Pod
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Hairless/Smooth
Growth Habit: Shrub (Woody)
Leaf Shape
: Pinnately Compound
Season: Evergreen
Distribution
: 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Collection: Brush and Weeds
