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 ^ greenish 

 white or yellowish petals, 5 stamens and i 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 ot Illinois but rare or absent in 

 the central part. It can be recognized by the hict that the main 

 axis or central rib ot the leaf is narrowly winged between the leaflets. 

 Also, its branches and stalks are downy, whereas those ot 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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