Science & Nature • Plant

Staghorn sumac

Staghorn sumac (*Rhus typhina*) is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) native to eastern North America.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Staghorn sumac (*Rhus typhina*) is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) native to eastern North America. It is known for its velvety young branchlets, compound leaves, dense upright fruit clusters, and bright red to orange fall colour. It is common in disturbed habitats and is also widely planted as an ornamental, though it can become invasive in some regions.

Description

Staghorn sumac is an open, spreading deciduous shrub or small tree with compound leaves and velvety, reddish-brown young branches. Female plants produce upright clusters of fuzzy red fruits, and the foliage turns orange-red to purple in autumn.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to eastern North America and occurs in Canada from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, with additional populations across much of the northeastern and midwestern United States. It is typical of dry, open, and disturbed habitats.

Ecology

Staghorn sumac is pollinated by insects including bees, wasps, and flies, and its fruits are eaten and dispersed by birds. It can colonize disturbed ground quickly and may form large clonal colonies from root suckers.

Uses and cultivation

The plant is commonly grown as an ornamental and for naturalizing on slopes or in open landscapes. It has also been used traditionally for food, dyes, ink, basketry, and medicinal purposes.

Key facts

Staghorn sumac is native to eastern North America and is named for its hairy young branches that resemble stag antlers.
It grows in open, disturbed places such as roadsides, old fields, and forest edges.
The species is dioecious, with separate male and female plants; female plants produce red fuzzy fruit clusters that persist into winter.
It spreads by seed and root suckers and can be invasive in some regions.
In Canada, it is native to provinces including Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.

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Canadian context

Staghorn sumac is native to Canada, where it occurs in southeastern and central parts of the country, including Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. It is also a recognizable native plant in Canadian roadsides, forest edges, and open disturbed areas.

Frequently asked questions

What is staghorn sumac?

Staghorn sumac is a North American shrub or small tree, *Rhus typhina*, in the cashew family.

Why is it called staghorn sumac?

Its young branches are covered in dense hairs, giving them a velvety look that resembles stag antlers.

Where does staghorn sumac grow naturally?

It grows in eastern North America, including southeastern Canada and much of the eastern United States.

Is staghorn sumac dioecious?

Yes. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants.

What do the fruits look like?

Female plants produce dense, upright clusters of small red drupes that often remain on the plant through winter.

Is staghorn sumac invasive?

It can be invasive in some regions because it spreads by seed and root suckers.

References

USDA Forest Service — https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/rhus_typhina.shtml
Supports: Family, habitat, and range in North America, including Canada
Canadian Wildlife Federation — https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/flora/staghorn-sumac.html
Supports: Canadian range, growth form, and habitat
Cowling Arboretum, Carleton College — https://www.carleton.edu/arboretum/about/species/flora/shrub-guide/staghorn-sumac/
Supports: Size, leaf structure, dioecious nature, flowers, fruits, pollination, and wildlife value
The Morton Arboretum — https://www.mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/staghorn-sumac/
Supports: Ornamental use, fall colour, and fruit clusters
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhus_typhina
Supports: Scientific name, family, native range, and invasive status