CASHEW FAMILY ANACARDIACEAE 
SMOOTH SUMACH 
Rhus glabra L. 
This is exclusively a family of trees and shrubs, and is 
represented in Illinois by several species of Rhus, only. 
This shrub grows 4-12 feet high and is used for ornamental 
plantings because of its 
pretty red fruits and 
leaves which also turn 
a brilliant red in autumn. 
It is apt to spread too 
rapidly from root shoots, 
and the foliage is sub- 
ject to a mildew disease. 
The bark has been used 
as a source of tannin 
and the leaves and 
berries were formerly 
much used in medicine. 
It is found in dry sandy 
or gravelly soil from 
Nova Scotia to North 
Dakota and south to 
Florida and Louisiana, 
often in places where 
upland forests have been 
cut. 
The blooming season 
is June and July, and the fruit matures in September and October. 
The calyx is usually 5-cleft and usually there are 5 greenish 
white or yellowish petals, 5 stamens and 1 pistil with 3 styles. 
The berries when ripe are covered with red hairs that have a 
sour taste and are an excellent substitute for lemon juice in 
making a refreshing summer-time drink. 
The Shining Sumach, Rhus copallina L., is another species, found 
in the northern and southern parts of Illinois but rare or absent in 
the central part. It can be recognized by the fact that the main 
axis or central rib of the leaf is narrowly winged between the leaflets. 
Also, its branches and stalks are downy, whereas those of Rhus 
glabra are smooth with a whitish bloom. 
The Smoke Tree, Rhus cotinoides Nutt., is grown as an orna- 
mental plant but is not native in Illinois. 
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