Fragrant Sumac
Skunkbush
Rhus aromatica
(Rhus trilobata)
Drawn from live specimen found in Maricopa County, Arizona.
The flowers often appear before the new leaves of spring. Mazatzal Mts, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA on 15 March 2015.
LEAVES: Compound leaves have three segments which have rounded lobes.
All the foliage will release pungent resinous terpenes on being crushed or
rubbed against. In autumn, like many sumacs, the deciduous leaves turn a
glorious orange-red. A few people get dermatitis from this plant.
SHRUB: A woody shrub usually 1 to 3 meters
tall and often forming broad thickets.
RANGE: Skunkbush is really a plant of higher, moister elevations than
typical Sonoran Desert. Deep shady canyons, however, even in some surprisingly
hot locations will have populations of Skunkbush.
FRUIT: Red berries with conspicuous trichomes
and a sticky texture.
FLOWERS: Whitish flowers are arrayed in compact
panicles blooming mostly in spring, but also sporadically at other times
of the year.
UNARMED
Skunkbush Gall-Mite
