Rhus copallinum (Winged Sumac)

A genuine pioneer species that colonizes disturbed and fire-affected sites readily, winged sumac's thickets provide real deer cover while confirmed serving as a larval host for butterfly species - all wrapped in a shrub that, despite its sumac name, carries no known toxicity.

Species Overview

Rhus copallinum, commonly called winged sumac, dwarf sumac, or shining sumac, is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to eastern North America from New York to Alabama and Florida. It typically grows to 10 feet tall (rarely to 30 feet as a tree), distinguished from similar sumacs by leafy "wings" along the central leaf stalk and glossy, untoothed leaflets that turn brilliant red in fall.

Application

• Poor, dry soil restoration and reclamation - a proven pioneer species
• Wildlife cover plantings - thickets function as deer yards
• Fall color plantings - brilliant red autumn foliage
• Larval host habitat for butterfly species

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Dry, poor soils; well-drained
• Drought Tolerance: High
• Flood Tolerance: Low - A dry upland sumac; not tolerant of standing water.
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Mature Height: 8-15 ft.
• Fall Color: Red
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
• Hydrology: Dry-Mesic
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Growth Rate: Rapid (confirmed genus-wide via R. glabra this round)
• Deer Resistance: Yes (Rarely Damaged) (listed directly on a regional deer-resistant-plants reference alongside R. glabra)
• Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
• Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed/Thicket-forming - suckering
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Pollinator Value: Larval host, supports butterflies

Planting Guidance

• Spreads by root suckers to form colonies; top-killed plants resprout vigorously, and seed germination is often triggered by heat such as fire. Berries persist through winter as an important food source for game birds and songbirds.