Winged Sumac

Winged Sumac branches

Nyla Martin
used with permission

 

Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

This native plant has yellowish-green flowers produced in July and August that attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies. The winged sumac gets its name for having compound leaves extending from a winged stalk, or midrib. The leaves are a shiny, dark green that turn dark red in the autumn. This plant is known as dioecious, which means it has both male and female plants. The male and female plants each produce flowers, and fertilized female flowers become large clusters of edible, red berries. These sour berries are ripe in August, providing an excellent food source for birds.