Staghorn Sumac is a small native tree found in parts of Virginia. The fruits are eaten by many species of birds, but generally only if other food is scarce. Bees, wasps, and flies visit the flowers, and the foliage is eaten by various moth and butterfly larvae. The foliage turns bright red in the autumn. Similar-looking species of sumac exist in Virginia, and this one can be identified by the fine dense fuzz on the younger branches, resembling the velvet on newly grown stag's antlers. Staghorn Sumac is not closely related to Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), which is in the same genus as Poison Ivy and Poison Oak.

Identification Tools

Illinois Wildflowers Friends of the Wildflower Garden Missouri Botanical Garden

Ranges

North America Virginia

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