Native SpeciesStaghorn sumac

Rhus hirta
FOUND by Pandion Sumac
2012-09-19
Portland
ID Confirmed
Quality checked by TH
Peer reviewed by Pandion Multiflora
Field Notes
I am happy because we found our plant so easily and the weather was pretty good. The only problem we ran into was that we were expecting buds on the plant, but we didn't find any. We saw a yellow school bus near by,we heard lots of people talking and we smelt fresh soil. We were surprised that not all the leaves were red yet.
A sketch of our study site.
Supporting Evidence
Photo of my evidence.
The leaves are 6 to 11 inches and have toothed edges.
Photo of my evidence.
The leaves have an alternate leaf arrangement.
Photo of my evidence.
The bark is fuzzy.
Species Observation: Species Looked For
Did you find it?: 
I think I found it
Scientific name:
Rhus hirta
Common name:
Staghorn sumac
Count of individuals: 
1-10
Coverage: 
Less than 1/4 covered
Reproduction: 
Sampling method: 
Just looking around
Photo of our sampling method.
Place Studied
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Map this species
Latitude: 
N 43.654378 °
Longitude: 
W -70.298821 °
Observation Site Information
A photo of our study site.
Habitat: 
Upland - Developed areas
Trip Information
Name:
Fore River Campus - Hall Field
Trip date: 
Wed, 2012-09-19 13:37
Town or city: 
Portland
Type of investigation: 
Species and Habitat Survey
Ecosystem: 
Upland
Watershed: 
Presumpscot
Habitat Observations
Species diversity: 
5 different species
Evidence of vectors: 
Paved road
People
parking lot
Tree canopy cover: 
Open to 1/4 covered
Soil moisture: 
Moist

Comments

Submitted by gary.fish@maine.gov on Tue, 2012-10-16 10:21.

I just checked out the book at the Maine State Library

I just checked out the book at the Maine State Library. I think you could do that too and get it fairly quickly.

I also found this recipe online http://www.writerbynature.com/2006/04/30/wild-edible-recipe-staghorn-sum... and more information on the ripeness of the berries at http://www.countrysidemag.com/issues/87/87-4/Sam_Thayer.html

Submitted by gary.fish@maine.gov on Tue, 2012-09-25 08:53.

Yes that is Rhus hirta (Staghorn sumac)

Why do you think they call it staghorn sumac? What do the fuzzy branches look like?

Submitted by Pandion Sumac on Tue, 2012-09-25 14:03.

name.

We think its called the Staghorn Sumac because its branches are fuzzy like a male deer's horns.

Submitted by sniffly salamander on Mon, 2012-09-24 13:19.

Looks like staghorn sumac to

Looks like staghorn sumac to me, but we'll see what the expert says.

I was wondering if you saw any of the fruit. I've used the fruit to make a drink that's something like lemonade. You have to strain it really well with cheesecloth because the fruit is fuzzy like the stem.

Keep your eyes peeled for the colorful fall foliage!

~sniffly

Submitted by Pandion Sumac on Tue, 2012-09-25 14:04.

Recipe

Thanks!
We were wondering if you could give us the recipe for the juice. That would be great!

Submitted by sniffly salamander on Tue, 2012-10-16 09:55.

Sorry for taking so long to

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! I got the recipe from this book - http://books.google.com/books/about/Tom_Brown_s_Guide_to_Wild_Edible_and...

I will try to get the recipe for you. But checking in with that other group sounds like it could also be a good plan. I hope it isn't too late to collect berries.

~sniffly

Submitted by christinev on Tue, 2012-10-16 09:51.

Did you see this observation?

Did you see this observation? http://vitalsignsme.org/species-rhus-hirta-was-found-baconmutantmustache...

These students made sumac tea! Cool! You could check in with them and see what recipe they followed.

-Christine