RHUS 



107 



Rhds. The Sumachs are a large group (100 species) of interesting 

 plants of mainly rather small tree-like growth generally 15 feet or less 

 high and so may be considered as 

 shrubs. Most species have alter- 

 nate pinnate leaves and large clus- 

 ters of small berry-like drupes 

 which remain on the plants through 

 the winter ; these are often of 

 bright red or purple color. The 

 flowers are small and inconspicu- 

 ous and the sap often milky. 



The tallest species, Staghorn. 

 Sumach (114) — Rhus typhina, — 

 grows 10 to 30 feet high and has 

 velvety-hairy stems. The crimson- 

 hairy fruit is very conspicuous, ter- 

 minating all stems. The leaves 

 have 11 to 31 smooth notched 

 blades (in var. lacini^ta they are 

 so deeply notched as to make 

 them twice-pinnate). 



Three species have the stalk be- 

 tween the blades broadly margined 



Fig. 116. — Elra-leaved Sumach, 

 or winged. The one with entire 



Fig. 117. — Fragrant Sumach. 



Fig. 118. — Poison 'Ivy.' 



