KEY TO THE SUMACHS 



109 



blades is Mountain Sumach (115) — Rhus copallina ; witli finely toothed 



blades, Japan Sumach — Ehus semiaUta and var. Osb^ckii ; with coarsely 



toothed blades, European or Elm-leaved Sumach (116) — Rhus Coriiiria. 



The smallest species with only 3 aromatic blades is the Fragrant 



Sumach (117) — Rhus canadensis 

 or aromSitica. 



Besides these with compound 

 leaves there are two species with 



Fig. 123. — Smoke Bush. 



Fig. 124. — Evergreen Sumach. 



simple rounded leaves, sometimes placed in a separate genus, C6tinus. 

 These are called Smoke-tkees because of the delicate feathery growths 

 which form after the flowers in early summer. 



The above are nearly all iu general cultivation and about all that can 

 be safely cultivated, as several of the others are very poisonous to the 

 touch to many people. Most of the sumachs have brilliant red and yellow 

 colors in their autumn foliage. [Seeds ; suckers ; layers ; root cuttings.] 



KEY TO THE SUMACHS 

 * Leaves deciduous, compound of 3 blades. (A.) 



A. 



A. 



Berries bright red ; blades crenate, sometimes lobed, aromatic. 

 Fragrant Sumach (117) — Rhus canadensis (R. aromitica). 

 Berries gray ; plant very poisonous, usually climbing by rootlets. 

 When erect. Poison 'Oak'; when climbing, Poison 'Ivy' (118) 

 — Rhus Toxicodendron. 



