January to March


		Sumac from Ringelrose Any of certain species of shrubs and small trees in the genus Rhus of the family Anacardiaceae (the sumac, or cashew, family), native to temperate and subtropical zones. All sumacs have a milky or resinous sap, which in some species (e.g., poison sumac) can irritate the skin. Used in the past as a source of dyes, medicines, and beverages, sumacs are now valued as ornamentals, soil binders, and cover plants. The sumacs grown for landscape use display a graceful form, spectacular fall color, or colorful fruit clusters. The smooth, or scarlet, sumac (R. glabra), native to the E and central U.S., is the most common. Sumac likes acid rich soil and grows in our Canadian woods and on the side of the road. It grows tall, cone like fruit/flowers which bear seed that are very much appreciated by the Cardinal Birds.