Jesse Saylor
Family
Anacardiaceae
Botanical Name
Rhus typhina 'Laciniata'
Plant Common Name
Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac
General Description
Large, ferny leaves comprised of many fine, deeply cut (laciniate) leaflets are the crowning glory of this more elegant cultivar of staghorn sumac. In fall, the deep green leaves of 'Laciniata' turn eye-catching shades of flaming red. The plants are slightly less vigorous than standard sumac, which is actually a benefit.
A common eastern North American shrub or small tree, staghorn sumac produces an umbrella-like crown of feathery foliage in summer that turns radiant shades of orange, red and yellow in fall. It is fully deciduous, very hardy and tends to spread forming large colonies over time. The staghorn reference in its common name refers to its stems and leaf petioles which have a fuzzy brown surface, much like that of deer antler velvet. Wild populations are common and tend to inhabit open forests and forest margins, roadsides and disturbed sites.
During winter, staghorn sumac offers nothing but stands of bare, fuzzy, upright stems. The leaves appear in mid to late spring. Each dark green, compound leaf is long, feathery and has a distinctly fuzzy leaf rachis (central stem). The leaves are held horizontally and most dense along the upper half of the stems. In fall, they turn brilliant warm shades. In early summer tufted spikes of creamy greenish yellow flowers appears at branch tips. By early autumn, these mature into dense, upright clusters of deep red fruits which are eaten and spread by birds.
Staghorn sumac is a tough, resilient plant that grows best in locations with full to partial sun and average, well-drained soil including dry, sandy soils. Once established, it can tolerate high heat and periods of drought. Its remarkable salt tolerance also makes it a great shrub for the Oceanside. Its tendency to sucker and spread makes it an ideal native for naturalization and soil stabilization. Ornamental cultivars, like the cutleaf 'Laciniata' and Tiger Eyes™, with its fine, golden leaves, are remarkably beautiful but still have a tendency to spread, so they are best planted in large spaces.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
12'-15' / 3.7m - 4.6m
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Width
12'-20' / 3.7m - 6.1m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer
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Native To
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Fall
