Rhus trilobata

Common Name: Skunkbush, Stinking Sumac
Oˊodham Name: [unknown]
Group: Shrubs － Chaparral, Madrean Woodland

Description

Rhus trilobata is an attractive shrub that grows in partially shaded, damp areas of the chaparral and woodland biomes. It may reach 10 feet wide and 7 feet tall under favorable conditions. Stems are long and flexible, red when young and near the growing tip. Leaves are about 1-1/2 inches wide, glossy above, and divided into 3 main lobes. The leaf margin is further divided into several blunt teeth on each lobe. Leaves turn reddish in late Autumn. This species also is classified as Rhus aromatica ssp. trilobata.

Rhus trilobata
branches
leaf

Classification

Kingdom Plantae － Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta － Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta － Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta － Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida － Dicotyledons

Subclass Rosidae

Order Sapindales

Family Anacardiaceae － Sumac family

Genus Rhus L. － sumac

Species Rhus trilobata Nutt. － skunkbush sumac

More Information

USDA Plant Profile and Map