Rhus copallinum

Photo by Eleanor Dietrich. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B 

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Winged Sumac

Anacardiaceae

Plant Specifics

Size:4-15 (30) ft tall forming clones.
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:White
Fruit Color:Orange,red
Phenology:Deciduous. Blooms mid-summer. Fruits ripen by fall and persist into winter. Clonal. Life span of single stem likely <20 yrs, clone could be long-lived.
Habitats:Flatwoods, dry prairie, sandhill, disturbed areas including dry muck.

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:This is one of the few shrubs that produces brilliant red fall color in much of Florida.
Light: Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
Moisture Tolerance: Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray Tolerance:Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).
Soil/Substrate:Lime rock, Sand

Wildlife

birdanimalcaterpillarbutterflypollinator

Fruits are eaten by songbirds, jays, and crows; white-tailed deer, opossums, wild turkey, and quail. 

Bark is eaten by rabbits.

 

Flowers attract pollinators including bees and butterflies.  Bees documented include  Colletes inandibularis, Augochlora pura, Augochlorella aurata, Augochloropsis sumptuosa and Dialictus placidensis (Deyrup et al. 2002).

Host plant for the red-banded hairstreak caterpillar and the Luna moth.