#shining sumac

[geopsych]

The shining or flameleaf sumac.

[geopsych]

Flameleaf sumac and the moon.

[geopsych]

Winged sumac, Rhus copallina. Other names are shining sumac and flameleaf sumac, and it was living up to all of them.

[aisling-saoirse]

Winged/Shining Sumac - Rhus Copallina

Sumacs are typically thought of as weedy shrubs. However in nature, they serve as a great incubator for forest regeneration, a pioneer species if you will. Sumac species were used for this purpose to jumpstart forest growth on Pier 1 adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge, allowing oak saplings to regenerate within the thicket and open canopy.

The winged Sumac is different than other Sumacs because it has pinnately compound leaves (the little leaf on the 'stem' portion). The fruit also droops downward rather than standing erect as well, pictured above as green when immature but ripens a dark red color. The leaves also have a lovely sheen to them that is not poisonous to touch, unlike it's swamp dweller sister "poison sumac" (distinguished by red branches and white berries).

Sumacs are spread via bird droppings so typically are found in heavily disturbed, sandy, rocky but moist locations, think of a road side, cliffs edge, or maritime forest. The specimens above were seen at Sandyhook, they are native to eastern America from mexico to Ontario. This plant usually forms dense crooked stem thickets from a singular root structure when disturbed, they can get to around 20 ft tall, and are a pretty beneficial species for birds and insects.

[creativecommonsplants]

Winged Sumac by David Marvin on Flickr.

This photo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

[creativecommonsplants]

Winged Sumac by pepperberryfarm on Flickr.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

[that-crazy-scorpio-man]

Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum)