Range: Maine across southern Michigan to eastern Nebraska, south to Texas, east to Florida.
Distinguishing Features: The Shining Sumac is readily distinguished by the winged stalk to which the leaflets are attached.
SMOOTH SUMAC
Rhus glabra L.
Growth Form: Small tree up to 20 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 8 inches; crown widely spreading.
Bark: Light brown, smooth on young plants, becoming somewhat rough at maturity.
Twigs: Stout, angular, smooth, reddish-brown or greenish-brown and covered by a whitish coat which can be wiped off, leaf scars alternate, nearly encircling the bud, elevated, with 6-9 bundle traces.
Buds: More or less rounded, smooth, about ⅛ inch long.
Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound, with up to 31 leaflets; leaflets lance-shaped, up to 4 inches long, less than 2 inches broad, sharp pointed at the apex, tapering or rounded at the often asymmetrical base, toothed along the edges, green and smooth on the upper surface, nearly white and smooth on the lower surface. The leaves turn red in the autumn.
Flowers: Staminate and pistillate sometimes borne on separate plants, sometimes on the same plant, sometimes in the same flower, numerous in much branched clusters, appearing from late May to mid-August, each flower greenish-yellow, small.