staghorn sumac

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• velvet sumac
• vinegar tree
• Stag's-Horn Sumach
• Virginia sumac
• red sumac
• staghorn sumach

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schmaltzia hirta
• Rhus hirta var. laciniata
• Rhus typhina var. arborescens
• Rhus typhina var. viridiflora
• Rhus viridiflora
• Rhus viridiflora var. canadensis
• Rhus filicifolia
• Datisca hirta
• Toxicodendron typhinum
• Rhus hirta var. typhina
• Rhus hirta f. dissecta
• Rhus hirta var. dissecta
• Rhus hirta f. typhina
• Rhus typhina var. filicina
• Rhus hypselodendrum
• Rhus typhina var. laciniata
• Rhus typhina var. frutescens
• Rhus typhina f. laciniata
• Rhus americana
• Rhus typhina f. dissecta
• Rhus typhina var. filicifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Rhus typhina, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic classification concludes within the genus Rhus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Rhus typhina, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also established in the country of Austria. Its presence extends further into the regions of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, the plant is commonly documented throughout Germany.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhus typhina is characterized by its ability to thrive in various disturbed environments, with a particular preference for lowland regions. It is a pioneer species that frequently colonizes open areas, such as forest edges, clearings, roadsides, and abandoned fields, where it can take advantage of increased sunlight. This species exhibits a high degree of adaptability to different soil types, ranging from well-drained sandy soils to more moist, loamy substrates, provided there is adequate drainage. Its presence is often marked by its vigorous clonal growth via underground rhizomes, which allows it to form dense thickets and stabilize soil in transitioning landscapes. In its natural ecosystem, it plays a crucial role in early-stage succession, providing structural complexity and a vital food source for various bird species and insects.

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Rhus typhina is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring long-term survival through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that allows it to maintain its stature within its ecosystem. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing a seasonal cycle where it sheds its foliage annually, typically in response to colder temperatures or changing photoperiods. Its developmental strategy is defined by this phanerophyte life form, which facilitates its establishment and persistence in various habitats through its robust, woody growth habit.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhus typhina is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree or shrub. As a self-supporting species, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant is terrestrial in its habitat requirements and exhibits significant variation in stature, with a minimum plant height of 2 m, a maximum height of 8 m, and a mean height of approximately 7.28 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

7.28 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhus typhina is characterized by several distinct biological processes and structural parameters. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process typical of many temperate woody species, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. In terms of its nutritional requirements and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess specialized nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into organic forms and must rely on soil-available nitrogen sources. Structurally, its foliage is defined by large, pinnately compound leaves, where individual leaflets can reach a significant leaf length with a maximum measurement of approximately 30 cm.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhus typhina involves both sexual and asexual processes, with asexual reproduction being present to aid in its spread. For its sexual cycle, the plant is monoecious and relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome. Self-fertilization is absent, necessitating cross-pollination for successful reproduction. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry fruits with an average fruit length of 0.3 cm. The seeds contained within are characterized by a mean mass of 0.0123925 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00833 g to a maximum of 0.018 g) and a consistent seed volume of 8.8 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a combination of zoochorous and autochorous syndromes, allowing the seeds to spread via animals and other natural mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

0.3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

present

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed mass max:

0.018 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0123925 g

Seed mass min:

0.00833 g

Seed volume max:

8.8 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rhus typhina has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astragalin, Betulin, Sesquiterpenes.

Astragalin

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Sesquiterpenes

1. Micron (Oxford, England : 1993)

Activities

Rhus typhina has 18 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Rhus typhina has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Die Pharmazie