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THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 



THE SUMACS 



The sumac family contains about sixteen species 

 found in North. America. They all have large pithy 

 twigs and a milky or sometimes sticky juice. Many 

 of them are used extensively in the tanning industry, 

 as they contain considerable tannin and red coloring 

 matter as well. The poison sumac belongs to this group 

 and can be distinguished by its ivory white fruit. 



SMOOTH SUMAC 



SMOOTH SUMAC 

 Rhus glabra 



FORM 



A low-growing and spreading shrub 

 5-15 feet high occasionally reach- 

 ing tree form. 



LEAVES 



Compound, composed of 11-31 leaf- 

 lets 2"-3" long, toothed, pale be- 

 neath. Leaf stem and branchlets 

 smooth. 



FRUIT 



A fleshy fruit with rather dry flesh 

 surrounding a smooth stone; ar- 

 ranged in cylindrical clusters. 



RANGE 



New England to Florida, Texas and 

 Missouri. 



