Sumac

I love the vibrant red of Sumac in the fall!

This is Smooth Sumac, which is non-poisonous, and is considered a native invasive. That is, even though it is native to the area, much like honeysuckle, it is prolific and can crowd out other native species such as ferns, grasses and flowers--and even young trees. Mowing as a means of control is ineffectual as the plant quickly recovers, while burning or using goats (who will eat the entire plant including the bark) is best. The UW-Arboretum tries to perform a controlled burn of prairies and savannas every couple years.



Some Middle Eastern cultures grind the fruit (called drupes) of sumac to use as a lemony-flavored spice. The drupes were also used in many medieval medicines, particularly in Islamic countries, and as a dye. One interesting fact I read is that an 11th century shipwreck, excavated off the coast of Rhodes in the 1970s, contained large enough quantities of sumac drupes to be use as a spice, dye or in medicines.