Rhus typhina seed
LATIN NAME: Rhus typhina
COMMON NAME: Staghorn Sumac, Velvet Sumac
Staghorn sumac is a shrub that puts on a spectacular show in autumn, and its name comes from its remarkable branches. They are thick, velvety and covered in soft, reddish-brown hairs, like the antlers of a young stag in velvet, and the plant grows as a large, open shrub that spreads into wide clumps. The leaves are long and divided into many narrow leaflets, fresh green through summer, then turning brilliant shades of scarlet, orange and crimson in autumn, one of the most vivid displays of any plant. In late summer the branches carry dense, upright clusters of small, fuzzy red fruits that stand like candles on the branch tops and stay on the plant through winter, feeding the birds.
Staghorn sumac belongs to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, and it is native to eastern North America, where it grows along roadsides, field edges and open ground. It is a tough, fast-growing shrub that thrives in poor, dry soil, and it is loved by gardeners for its bold foliage and its spectacular autumn colour.
Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide
Growing staghorn sumac from seed is easy once you know the trick. The seeds have a very hard, waxy coat, so before sowing, dip them briefly in hot water or nick them with a file to let moisture in, then give them a period of cold, moist conditions. Sow them in pots of free-draining compost in autumn and leave them outdoors through winter, or chill them in the fridge for a couple of months after treatment. In spring, bring the pots to a bright spot and keep them moist. Germination can be slow and uneven, so be patient. Pot the young plants on as they grow and plant them out in a sunny, well-drained spot. Once established, sumac grows fast and will reward you with its dramatic foliage and its bold autumn colour.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Staghorn sumac has a real place in both food and ecological research. The red fruits have a tangy, lemony flavour, and researchers have studied them as a source of a drink and a spice, examining their vitamin C content and their antioxidant compounds. In ecology, the plant is studied as a pioneer of disturbed ground, valued for controlling erosion and for its role in early stages of ecological succession, though researchers also track its vigorous spreading in some regions. The genus Rhus has been studied for its tannins and other compounds, which have traditional uses in dyeing and tanning. For a shrub that grows along every roadside, staghorn sumac has a practical and varied record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, staghorn sumac is a generous plant. Its dense clumps give shelter and nesting sites for birds, the fuzzy red fruits feed birds and small mammals through winter, and it holds soil on banks and slopes with its spreading roots.
Its economic value is real and varied. The tangy red fruits are used to make a refreshing drink called sumac-ade and as a lemony spice, and the plant is widely grown as an ornamental for its bold foliage and spectacular autumn colour, with several garden cultivars. The bark and leaves have traditional uses in dyeing. For a grower, staghorn sumac is a fast, low-care shrub with ornamental and culinary value, and for a gardener it brings one of the finest displays of autumn colour you can grow.
Uses: ornamental. Wood