Stag's horn sumach - Rhus typhina - €9 per plant 

Rhus typhina is more commonly known as Stag's horn sumach due to the branches being reminiscent of a stag's antlers.  It is a large suckering deciduous shrub that can grow up to 8m, the red-hairy stems with large pinnate leaves turning pretty shades of red and orange in the autumn.  It is dioecious and on female plants, yellow-green flowers are followed on by dense crimson berries that are a high source of vitamin C. It can grow in a wide array of habitats and can thrive in dry and poor soil, making it a great choice for these conditions. Can also tolerate wind quite well. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: N. America
  • native habitat: Open uplands, forest edges, roadside 
  • family: Anacardiaceae

Predators

  • None listed

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Sun, Partial Shade
  • Soil: Clay, Sand, Loam
  • Soil pH:  6.8-7.2
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a - 8b
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Salt tolerant  

Overview

  • Deciduous shrub that grows up to 8m​
  • In flower from May - July.  Yellow, green/brown coloured blooms.
  • Fruit ripens from June to September
  • Noted for attracting wildlife particularly bees and birds
  • Suitable for: Dry or Normal conditions
  • Suitable pH: 6.8-7.2
  • Can grow in dry waste areas
  • Fast growing

Characteristics

  • form: large shrub
  • layer : Shrub Layer
  • habit:  pinnately-compound leaves, leaning trunks, picturesque branches and velvety twigs
  • height x width: up to 8m x 8m

Products 

  • Fruit and twigs are an important source of food for moose, deer, rabbits, rodents and birds such as pheasant and grouse.
  • Flowers: attracting bees and birds, due to the fact the berries persist throughout winter
  • Red berries that are a high source of vitamin C. They were widely used in herbalism, but nowadays are less well known about.
  • Ornamental value, grown for  for the autumn foliage and showy fruit

Functions, behaviours


  • Spreads by seeds and by rhizomes 
  • Cultivated in Europe for centuries as an ornamental prized for its vivid fall foliage and distinctive fruit. 
  • The tannin-rich fruit, bark and leaves were used to tan hides.
  • Honeybees are attracted to the flowers in spring. 
  • Berries are a preferred food source for many birds
  • Aboriginals made a drink from the fruit which tastes like lemonade and has a high vitamin C content. 
  • Some people have an allergic reaction to parts of the tree which causes blistering.
If you would like this plant  please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project