Rhus typhina, L.

Form.—A shrub or small tree sometimes reaching a height of 15-20 feet and a diameter of 8-10 inches; trunk short, bearing a broad crown of ascending branches.

Leaves.—Alternate, compound, 16-24 inches long, and with 11-31 leaflets; leaflets oblong, 2-5 inches long, nearly sessile, oblanceolate, pointed, serrate, when mature dark green and smooth above, pale beneath.

Flowers.—May-June; polygamous, arranged in compact oblong yellowish-green panicles.

Fruit.—Matures in late summer and persists through the winter; numerous dry drupes aggregate in a compact pyramidal panicle, 5-8 inches long; drupes thickly studded with red acid hairs, not poisonous.

Bark.—On old trunks somewhat roughened by loose brown scales. Twigs and leaf stalks are densely velvety-hairy.

Wood.—Soft, light, coarse-grained, orange-colored, showing plainly the annual growths.

Range.—New Brunswick to Minnesota, south to Georgia and Alabama.

Distribution in West Virginia.—Common throughout the State and reaching higher altitudes than some of the other sumachs.

Habitat.—Fertile dry upland soil, preferring abandoned fields, borders of woods and fence rows.

Notes.—The wood of this species is sometimes used for sugar spiles and for the manufacture of napkin rings, cups, etc. The leaves are rich in tannin; the wood has little commercial value. Its beautiful foliage and red fruit spikes give it value for ornamental planting.