They are pioneer plants and quickly spread by rhizomes to colonize erosion prone areas. How to identify it: Its distinctive soft velvety stalks, which give it its name, distinguish it before the berries appear. Not only do the dried and ground berries of the edible Rhus species add wonderful lemony flavor to meat and vegetable dishes, research suggests that food-grade sumac may also be good for you. Photo by Green Deane. And there are other Canadian species, such as the smooth sumac in western Canada, the fragrant sumac in the prairies through to Ontario and the shining sumac in southern Ontario. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) and the Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra). Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. Photo: Sten Porse, Wikimedia Commons. It’s the largest of the sumacs and the one with the least tart berries. Poison sumac is the most contact-toxic plant in North America, and it’s just as nasty when ingested. All produce red berries with varying degrees of sourness. The difference between edible staghorn berries and poisonous ones is easy to distinguish. Sumac – A Spice with Health Benefits. Staghorn sumac twigs are covered in soft hairs, similar to a young deer's antlers, and the berries are very hairy. The two species that I’ve observed most commonly around the Ohio River Valley are R. typhina (staghorn sumac) and R. copallina (winged or shining sumac), but once you develop an eye for this genus they’re all very easy to spot.Many bear very close resemblance to the staghorn. Pretty amazing stuff. While some people eat the young shoots of sumac stems, I’m not impressed enough by the flavor to repeat the experience. You can make delicious lemonade with staghorn sumac that is full of vitamin C! Like anything you have never had before, make sure you have very little at first to make sure you aren't allergic. Smooth sumac has a purplish midrib between the toothed leaflets, and smooth twigs. Sumac in Nova Scotia (Edibility and Identification) Home > Edible Berries of Nova Scotia > Sumac. They are unique looking shrubs, grow without maintenance, tolerate drought and cold, are edible, and they are excellent bee forage. Edible berries have red cones. staghorn sumac. If it surprises you that rash-causing poison sumac has family ties with a plant that bears edible nuts, be prepared to be surprised again: Mango trees ( Mangifera spp .) Sumac is reportedly a very high source of vitamin C: its most common traditional culinary use in North America is in a tart, cooling lemonade-like drink. Although we’re focusing on Staghorn Sumac today, the same edible and medicinal qualities apply to nearly every species in the genus. The staghorn sumac, however, is native to the southern half of Ontario and eastwards to the Maritime provinces. It is very similar to the more desireable staghorn sumac, but it has smooth rather than velvety bark. All put on a grand show in autumn of brilliant hues of orange and yellow that become deep red. In the northeast the staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina, synonym: Rhus hirta) predominates. There are several types of edible sumac in the U.S. including smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), staghorn sumac (R. typhina), and three leaved sumac (R. trilobata). The active constituents in Sumac are being studied for use in many diseases some possible applications are in the treatment of TB, diabetes, and some cancers. However, staghorn sumac is edible–if you know exactly the right kind of staghorn to eat. Sumac berries have a zingy lemon taste when harvested in late summer or early Fall. Canadian Species . Eventually the leaves will drop and the berry clusters will be left standing alone to face winter as an easily recognizable winter silhouette. If you do not have staghorn sumac in your area, you might have one of these other rhuses which might be worth investigating. Phew! The autumn season brings many delights that can only be enjoyed this time of year, such as the changing leaves, pumpkins, fresh apples, grouse hunting and much more. The young twigs are thick and covered with velvet, just like any proper stag's antlers. By comparison, the poisonous kind are white. The “staghorn” part comes from the velvety branches that somewhat resemble antlers. Staghorn sumac parts were used in similar medicinal remedies. Beating Invasive Plants at Their Own Game. I love the brilliant red-orange leaves which start to turn from green into color just at the time the berries ripen. Although safe and nutritious, sumac is from the same family as poison ivy and other plants that commonly irritate human skin and mucus membranes. See also notes in 'Cultivation Details'. Sharing a genus with poison sumac (Rhus vernix) has unnecessarily blackballed staghorn sumac (R. typhina) from inclusion in many landscape plans. This is especially true if your skin is sensitive and comes in contact with sumac. Add a few ice cubes and you've got yourself wild pink lemonade! Fuzzy stems of staghorn sumac, resembling the velvet on new antlers of deer. In Ojibwe, baakwaanaatig, mainly referring to the berry, staghorn sumac is the “lemonadiest” and most vinegary of edible and medicinal shrubs. How to Identify Staghorn or Smooth Sumac. Smooth Sumac and Staghorn Sumac are common “roadside” plants in North America. The fruit is also eaten raw, cooked or made into a lemonade-like drink. I’m not sure exactly who came up with the name”Debris Hut” but it is a term used quite… Persimmon – A Perfect Fall Survival Food. It is primarily found in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States, and the Appalachian Mountains, but it is widely cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate world. berry can be eaten raw to quench thirst. yes Friend, Not Foe (Staghorn Sumac) It is easy to think of the staghorn sumac as a weed or undesirable—especially because once it takes root it can easily spread from one tree to a grove in a matter of a few years. There is a popular belief that sumac is poisonous, but most varieties are not toxic, and staghorn and other edible varieties of sumac have a very long history of culinary, medical and social-ceremonial use. Feb 17, 2020 - In Ojibwe, baakwaanaatig, mainly referring to the berry, staghorn sumac is the "lemonadiest" and most vinegary of edible and medicinal shrubs. It is the red fuzzy berries of staghorn sumac that make a pretty excellent wild edible, with a tart citrusy flavor. There are other ‘rhus’ varieties, all with red flowers, and all edible. But it is only really enjoyable when prepared properly. The Natchez used the root of fragrant sumac to treat boils. belong to the same family. If you do so, take care that you try just a little at first to notice your body's reaction. Sumac Herbal Use, Edible . Share This Article With Your Plant Friends. Poison sumac and staghorn sumac belong to the same family: Anacardiaceae. Sumac: More Than Just Native Lemonade by DEANE. Staghorn sumac during autumn. It doesn't matter which one - the Staghorn or Smooth Sumac, as they are the same from an eating perspective. It is easily identified by the large red burgundy cone… Wilderness Survival Debris Hut. This botanical group is also called the "cashew" family, and cashew trees ( Anacardium occidentale ) are part of it. The Ojibwa took a decoction of fragrant sumac root to stop diarrhea. The berries, roots, inner bark, and leaves of smooth and staghorn sumac were used to make dyes of various colors. Staghorn sumac, with its clusters of fuzzy, crimson berries, makes a beautiful iced tea — colourful, tart and refreshing. Staghorn Sumac is a tree/bush like none other. Sumac Berries Health Benefits. Sumac is a shrub of the genus Rhus of the family Anacardiaceae. Compound leaf of staghorn sumac. Rhus . Many of these delights focus on wild edibles like mushrooms, grapes, various nuts, wild rice and persimmons, to name a few. https://ediblecapitaldistrict.ediblecommunities.com/recipes/discovery-sumac Wild Sumac was used extensively by Native Americans for food and medicine. Other common regional names include red sumac, scarlet sumac, common sumac, and western sumac. The first step before eating any wild edible is to positively identify it. The fruits of the Staghorn Sumac are crimson and juicy when mature, and encapsulated by soft, sticky, velvety red-brown clusters at the tip of the twigs. Camassia. Beating Invasive Plants at Their Own Game. In Florida the predominant sumac is Rhus copallina, also known the shining sumac, the winged sumac, dwarf sumac, flame leaf sumac and the mountain sumac (curious as there are no mountains in Florida.) However, it does provide a few blessings as well as visual drama when incorporated purposefully into a landscape. About this Species: I am lucky enough to have found smooth, fragrant, winged and staghorn sumac all in my area! Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email. There are 3 varieties of edible sumac in our area of New England--staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), and dwarf sumac (Rhus copallina). grows in plains and foothills on dry slopes. They are quite unlike the berries of the edible sumacs, like staghorn sumac. by Zannah Crowe. berry can be crushed in water to make refreshing drink. berry is reddish, hairy, and has lemony taste. Edible fruit that attracts songbirds. The berry clusters are beautiful to look at, and actually make a nice drink. Steeped, they make a refreshing drink. Staghorn sumac, with its clusters of fuzzy, crimson berries, makes a beautiful iced tea — colourful, tart and refreshing. Edible sumac has red fruit borne in terminal clusters. In this species, note the “wings” between the leaf pairs. Edible? The family also includes cashew, smoke tree, mango, pistachio, poison ivy and several cultivated tropical ornamentals. JG Webmaster 2020-07-27T16:45:43+00:00. Before we continue, a word on Poison Sumac – Staghorn Sumac only has one deadly mimic, but it’s a doozie. Stag's Horn Sumach, Velvet Sumac, Staghorn Sumac: Family: Anacardiaceae: USDA hardiness: 4-8: Known Hazards: There are some suggestions that the sap of this species can cause a skin rash in susceptible people, but this has not been substantiated. Staghorn Sumac Tree Facts. It has large shiny dark-green pinnate leaves, each with 9 to 27 leaflets arranged in a fern-like pattern. Poison sumac also differs in that it rarely grows in dense, pure stands, and in that it inhabits swamps rather than dry areas. Cut-leaved Staghorn Sumac Thick branches of candelabra-like stems give staghorn sumac a dramatic and even prehistoric presence in Winter. The leaf edges of poison sumac are smooth, while those of the edible eastern sumacs are toothed. the variety in Nova Scotia is Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). The Staghorn Sumac Fruit Despite these berries having a fuzzy look and feel, the Sumac fruit cluster is technically edible. Young shoots and roots are peeled and eaten raw. Here are the four key items to look for in order to positively identify staghorn and smooth sumac (taken from my previous article): Compound Toothed Leaves: Both species have pinnately compound leaves with serrated edges. Sumac is used to make a drink called Indian Lemonade, referring to indigenous or Native Americans. October 15th, 2020 | 0 Comments. Related Posts. Staghorn sumac has been called the vinegar tree and the lemonade tree as its juice can be used as a substitute for vinegar or lemon juice. Staghorn Sumac Tea. Sumac, Rhus Juice, Quallah: Good Drink. in beverage , Edible Raw, Grain/Nuts/Seeds, Miscellaneous, plants, Recipes, Salad, Spice/Seasoning, Trees/Shrubs, Vegetable. Older stems are readily colonized by lichen, furthering the shrub's look of age and gnarled endurance. Camassia. The fruit ripens and becomes a maroon color from late summer to early fall. Sumac. 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