Deciduous shrub
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General Description: This small, low-growing shrub, 1.0-3.75ft (0.3-1m) tall, grows in clumps. The stems grow from an underground rhizome to a height of about 15 in (40cm). The leaves are pinnately compound with 9-13 leaflets which, except for the terminal leaflet, are stalkless, lance-shaped, and coarsely toothed. Leaflets are 2.0-3.5in (5-9cm) long and 0.75-2.0in (2-5cm) wide with a sharp point. The terminal leaflet sometimes has a winged stalk as in Rhus copallina. Leaves and twigs are heavily covered with hairs. Individual plants bear either male or female flowers (dioecious), and entire clumps are usually of one sex only. This sumac flowers in June, having flowers in dense, strongly conical-shaped, terminal clusters. Each small flower has 4-5 minute, greenish-yellow petals. Female flowers produce red, fleshy fruits, which are covered by short hairs and contain a single large seed about 0.2in (5mm) in diameter. The species is believed to be extinct in South Carolina. | |
General Habitat:
Found in open, upland woods, along forest edges
and maintained right-of-ways. Prefers the droughtier, full sun areas that have
limited competition, especially from taller plants. It does not tolerate
shade. Grows on sandy and rocky sites and along ridgelines. Requires periodic
disturbance of surrounding vegetation. Found historically near Coastal Plain
sandhills and across the Piedmont.
This sumac is currently found in only one Corps site, Elbert County, GA. A few
other sites are known to occur in Georgia and North Carolina. The Elbert County
site is on Corps of Engineers land which is leased by the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources (GaDNR) as part of the Board River Wildlife Management Area.
The cluster of four plants is located on an upland ridge overlooking the Broad
River. Specialists from the University of North Carolina and the GaDNR are
currently working on a detailed recovery plan for this species.
