Handbook of Trees of the Noktiiern States and C^ 



:;()0 



The Dwarf Sumach, as its name implies, is 

 a small tree at best and iiiucli more commonly 

 ji shrub than a tree; still it sometimes attains 

 the height of 25 or 30 ft. with trunk 8 or 10 

 in. in diameter. This is j,'enerally more or less 

 leaning and divided into a few large branches, 

 ultimately forming a wide spreading top. Tl 

 is an abundant species covering dry gravelly 

 slopes often to the exeliision of nearly every- 

 thing else. Us singular and beautiful leaves, 

 with rachises winged between the leatlets. give 

 it an individuality at once reeogni/.able. and 

 its bunches of crimson fruit add not a little 

 to its ornamental vahu'. In autuiini it is 

 brilliant in various tints of red jind purple. 



The wood is light, a cubic foot weighing 

 32.8(i lbs., soft and of a greenish brown color 

 with lighter sap-wood. Tlie bark and leaves 

 are rich in tannin and the fruit similar in 

 l)r<)perties to tiiat of tlie Stag-horn Suniacli. 



Lciins di'ciduous. piuiiati'. (i-S in. lonj;-. witli 

 pubescent petiole and rachis, tlie latter winjicd 

 between the leaflets ; leaflets ovate-lanceolate ti> 

 oblong, subsessile, entire or remotely serrate 

 towards the apex, acute or acuminate, lustrous 

 dark green above, paler and pubescent beneath. 

 Flowers in midsummer, about Vs in. across, yellow- 

 green, in short dense pubescent terminal itanicles. 

 4-6 in. long; the pislillate c<,usid..rably smaller. 

 Fruit in compai-t .Teci ..r Udddini; cliist<Ts, nften 

 persisting on the liranclies tlirmmh the entire 

 winter; drupe alunil 's in. across, conipicssed. 

 crimson, covered with short acid hairs ; stone 

 smooth. 



Var. Janceolata, Gra.v, is a small tree of eastern 

 Texas with narrower and more falcate leaflets and 

 larger bunches of flowers and fruit. 



Var. hiivantha (.Tacq.) de C. is another form 

 found in Texas (near Xew Braunfels) with white 

 flowers. 



1. A. W.. XII. 279. 



