6o6 



The Sumacs 



panicles 7 to i6 cm. long at the ends of 

 branches, the staminate on one plant, the 

 pistillate on another, and open from June 

 to August ; they are green and about 3 mm. 

 broad, the calyx much shorter than the 

 blunt reflexed petals; the hairy flower-stalks 

 are 2 to 4 mm. long. The fruits are some- 

 what flattened, about 4 mm. thick, densely 

 covered with crimson acid hairs; the smooth 

 stone is orange-brown. 



The leaves are a source of tannin. The 

 wood is soft, Hght brown, with a specific 

 gravity of about 0.53. 



2. TEXAN SUMAC 

 Rhus lanceolata (Asa Gray) Britton 



Rhus copallina lanceolata Asa Gray 

 YiQ_ rrr_ Dwarf Sumac. Schmaltzia lanceolata Small 



The Texan sumac has usually been regarded as a variety of the preceding 

 species, and was originally described as of this relationship, but it is confined to 

 Texas, in so far as its geographic distribution is known, and seems to have 

 marked differences from its widely distributed relative. It grows in dry soil, 

 especially on Hmestone, attaining 

 a maximum height of about 10 

 meters, with a trunk 2 dm. in di- 

 ameter, usually, however, much 

 smaller, and often a mere shrub. 



The bark is Hght brown and 

 nearly smooth. The young twigs 

 arc quite densely velvety. The 

 leaf-stalk is velvety and the leaf- 

 axis winged between the 9 to 19 

 stalklcss or very short-stalked leaf- 

 lets, which are narrowly lanceo- 

 late, long- pointed, more or less 

 scythe-shaped, 7 cm. long or less. Fig. 556. - Texan Sumac. 



and usually entire-margined; they are dark green on the upper surface and pale 

 green beneath. The tree flowers in July or August and its flowers closely resemble 

 those of R. copallina. The fruits are covered with short hairs and are described 

 as dull red or green ; they are borne on very short stalks. 

 The hght brown wood has a specific gravity of about 0.52. 



