Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra
- Layer 3 · Shrubs
- Dynamic accumulator
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Smooth sumac (*Rhus glabra*) is a deciduous shrub native to North America that grows in dense colonies, reaching between two and four metres in height through the production of root suckers. In a food forest, it acts as a pioneer species and soil stabiliser, attracting numerous pollinators with its summer flowering. Beyond its ecological function, its tart red berries are edible, providing a seasoning rich in vitamin C and a vital food resource for wildlife throughout the winter.
See which trees the smooth sumac grows well with
We have no trees recorded with this species yet. Start from the tree on your land.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Shrub up to 3 m
- Mature diameter: 2.5 m
- Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
- Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean, Mountain / cold
Calendar
- January — Planting
- February — Planting
- March — Planting
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August — Harvest
- September — Harvest
- October — Harvest — Planting
- November — Planting
- December — Planting
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: The tart red fruits are used in the manufacture of refreshing drinks and infusions rich in vitamin C.
Where to buy
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
See which trees the smooth sumac grows well with
We have no trees recorded with this species yet. Start from the tree on your land.
No account needed.
Not ready to map your land yet?
Get the free mini-guide to starting an edible forest.