Rhus copallinum - Ornamental Fruit - Flameleaf Sumac, Shining Sumac, Winged Sumac Page

Looking for a beautiful and hardy plant to enhance the natural look of your landscape? Look no further than Rhus copallinum, also known as Flameleaf Sumac, Shining Sumac, or Winged Sumac. This plant is perfect for informal gardens thanks to its spreading runners, providing dense cover for birds and wildlife. Its dark green foliage turns a vibrant orange-red in the fall, providing a dazzling display that's often seen from interstate highways. The plant's greenish-yellow flowers give way to clusters of showy red berries that persist into the winter and attract wildlife.

Sumac has a long history of medicinal use. Decoctions of the roots have been used to treat dysentery and VD, while poultices from the roots have been applied to sores and skin eruptions. Infusions of the leaves have been used to purify and cleanse skin eruptions. The bark has been brewed as a tea to stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers, and applied as a wash for blisters and sunburn blisters. Berries have even been chewed to treat bed-wetting and mouth sores.

While Rhus copallinum requires some caution when it comes to its leaves and stems, this is a low-maintenance plant that's easy to grow and a great addition to any landscape. The tree wants to grow with several trunks, but can be trained to grow with just one, making it versatile for any setting. Give your landscape a natural touch and welcome some wildlife with the Rhus copallinum Flameleaf Sumac.