Smooth Sumac

Smooth sumac is a widespread deciduous shrub native to much of North America, including much of Oregon. It typically grows 10–15 feet tall with upright, colony-forming stems and large, pinnately compound leaves that turn brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. In summer it produces dense, upright clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers which develop into bright red, fuzzy fruiting panicles that persist into winter and provide food for birds and other wildlife. Ecologically, smooth sumac is important for erosion control on dry slopes, supports a variety of pollinators and frugivores, and adds structural and seasonal diversity to early- to mid-successional plant communities.