Skunkbush Sumac

Description:

Deciduous shrub, which grow to a little over ten feet tall and full bushy shape. Little catkins appear in March on flexible smooth twigs. Leaves are alternate and compound, with three lobed leaves. Red orange sticky berries appear in summer. They can be found in a wide range of elevations from 2500 - 7500 (where I live is about 5300). They provide some fall color as the leaves turn reddish orange in the fall before dropping. Many insects pollinate them.

Habitat:

Chaparral, Oak Woodland

Notes:

These thrive all over our property. They have been used by native people for basketry and the fruit can reportedly be used to make an alternative to lemonade. I have collected, dried and ground them up to use in Zatar, but not sure they are an accurate substitute for that spice. I've also collected the branches in spring when they are most pliable and made wreaths and basketry bases from them.