Hope that helps. The two species that I’ve observed most commonly around the Ohio River Valley are R. typhina (staghorn sumac) and R. copallina (winged or shining sumac), but once you develop an eye for this genus they’re all very easy to spot.Many bear very close resemblance to the staghorn. In the EETG we have Staghorn Sumac, which is different from Poison Sumac. Rhus hirta Trunk/Bark. How to preserve it:  Scrape the berries off without washing, and cover with water. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Walnut and Sumac Eggplant Rolls | Along the Grapevine, Beans with Sumac (Two Versions) | Along the Grapevine, Smooth Sumac – Rhus Glabra | Along the Grapevine, What is Ground Sumac? Image source: tcpermaculture.blogspot.com Lay sumac out on newspaper, with lots of air flow. Click. Staghorn sumac, also called vinegar sumac, is a short tree that grows in a roundish shape. October 2, 2014 by Hilda 24 Comments. The tea concoction can be taken just as is, possibly with sweetener added. The sumac that is used in the spice blend is one member of the sumac family (genus, rhus), rhus coriraria or more commonly called European Sumac. Branches display U-shaped leaf scars in winter. The ones we see most commonly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are staghorn sumac, smooth sumac and winged sumac. Some wild plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. The branches are hairy or fuzzy, like the velvet on a deer's antler. Rhus typhina, commonly called staghorn sumac, is the largest of the North American sumacs. They are invasive – I probably pull hundreds of little ones out of my flower garden every year. It is up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed in this web site. A very sour flavour, they are used in pies. I might have to migrate for part of the winter and find better foraging grounds. For those of you who are familiar with the foraged ingredients I use, you will already be familiar with my use of sumac, in powder and liquid form. Call lassie! If you have any recipes to add, I would love to hear about them. Staghorn Sumac shrubs can grow up to 25 feet tall and can be identified by its red cones of fruit. I have thought of mixing it with something else, but don’t want to lose out on that wonderful garnet colour. I have tons of staghorn sumac. The leaflets are dark green and smooth above, and pale beneath, except along the midrib. ( Log Out /  Typical habitats include open fields, roadsides, fence rows, and parkland. Probably just snow. It is also advisable to try any ingredient in small amounts in case of adverse reactions. For some beautiful photos of this plant at all stages of its life, see this site, and you will have little difficulty identifying it when you come across it. – My Favourite Pastime, Pingback: Puffball Mushroom Strata | Along the Grapevine. Staghorn sumac is native to the eastern parts of Canada and the U.S. By late summer it has beautiful autumn-coloured foliage and the fruit is a brilliant crimson red. The first step before eating any wild edible is to positively identify it. Staghorn sumac is also known as “velvet sumac.” Hairy twig of Staghorn sumac . It can grow in slightly acid soil but will not do as well as those in fertile areas. Actually will be cutting them down soon, so highly invasive! Be sure to look for the fuzzy branches if it is staghorn, but if it is sumac, and the berries are red, you might want to find out what type it is. Ok! Oh Hilda, I love all your posts on sumac! List of key staghorn tree facts. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) has leaves somewhat similar to staghorn sumac. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Thanks. In-depth wild edible PDFs. Sumac Berries Health Benefits. Staghorn sumac fruits mature from August to September. Staghorn sumac grows in an open form that can grow up to 7 metres (25') tall and can be as equally wide. This is especially true if your skin is sensitive and comes in contact with sumac. AND. It is found from New England south to Georgia west to Michigan, Iowa, Missouri and Mississippi. Whole shrub, Staghorn Sumac. Staghorn Sumac: Is it Really Edible? However, staghorn sumac is edible–if you know exactly the right kind of staghorn to eat. Edible berries have red cones. It is primarily found in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States, and the Appalachian Mountains, but it is widely cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate world. Staghorn sumac or Rhus typhina grows throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. The fruit (Rhus typhina, staghorn sumac) can be soaked in cold water to make a refreshing, vitamin C-rich beverage. Poison sumac also differs in that it rarely grows in dense, pure stands, and it inhabits swamps. Tiger Eyes® Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’) is among the group of plants that elicit a strong reaction from gardeners; they either love it or they hate it.There is no middle ground. Getting Started: Sumac is 8 th on our Fabulous Fruit List, and it is an easy beginner forager plant to collect. If there are no posts over the next few days! They look pretty, though. It is a shrub which can grow to several metres in height. Staghorn sumac. I would think you might have staghorn in your area. The name “sumac” often evokes thoughts of poison sumac and general itchiness. It is such a versatile flavouring, often replacing imported ingredients … What I tried is called staghorn sumac, which is native to NA, but has been taken to some other parts of the world. The fruit is rather small and with very little flesh, but it is produced in quite large clusters and so is easily harvested. Edible sumacs are found in upland areas and don’t like to get their feet wet. It is hardy to zone (UK) 3 and is not frost tender. Here are some of the ways people around the world use it, plus some instructions for harvesting, drying, and using it in a recipe! Warning - Staghorn sumac is a member of the cashew family, so be careful if you have nut allergies. So glad to be of help. Thanks for all the ideas, Hilda! Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. All my recipes have been tested and tried by me. Pingback: Beans with Sumac (Two Versions) | Along the Grapevine, Pingback: Smooth Sumac – Rhus Glabra | Along the Grapevine, Pingback: What is Ground Sumac? The berries, which ripen in late summer and fall are a deep red which makes it stand out. What most commonly grows across North America is a close cousin in the sumac family, rhus typhina or more commonly called Staghorn Sumac. It is a species of prairies and other grasslands, old fields, roadsides, savannas and woodlands, and fencerows. The Staghorn sumac was one of my favorite tree before I even learned to make sumac lemonade. Staghorn Sumac, like many of our favorite edibles, is technically classified as a weed! Place into a … Please click here for more information. However, one species, Rhus glabra, (Roos GLAY-bra) the “smooth sumac” is found in all contiguous 48 states.The Indians used the shoots of the Rhus glabra in “salads” though many ethonobotanists say the natives never really made “salads” as we know the term. Smooth sumac appears much like a small 3 to 5 meters (9 to 15 feet) tall rapidly growing tree. I use the powder.. yet there is a shrub near a store i go to that i have been looking at for ages.. Rhus typhina is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a fast rate. Smooth sumac is the only shrub or tree species native to all 48 contiguous United States. Process for a few minutes, leaving just the seeds. Description. But it is only really enjoyable when prepared properly. thanks for this.. Strain the liquid through a cloth to remove any of the little hairs. However, it is each person's responsibility to ensure proper identification before consuming any wild edible. Height. One of the easiest deciduous shrubs to identify throughout the year, especially mid to late summer, staghorn sumac is in the anacardiaceae (cashew) family. There are 250 geniuses of Sumac which can grow anywhere from four to 35 feet in size. This week’s plant for #WildEdibleWednesday is Rhus typhina, or Staghorn Sumac.Dramatic and exotic-looking with its bright red fruiting bodies, sumac is part of the Anacardiaceae family of plants that includes cashews, mangoes, and pistachios, as well as Brazilian pepper, poison ivy, and poison oak. Where does it grow? Poison ivy, of course, is a … I guess you are in pie mode! Poison sumac and staghorn sumac belong to the same family: Anacardiaceae. In the northeast the staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina, synonym: Rhus hirta) predominates. Staghorn sumac, winged sumac, and smooth sumac are the most common sumac species in Georgia. They can be picked right into winter, but the colour is not as brilliant. There are 250 or so various sumac species which are common throughout the Northern hemisphere. Change ). It was given its name due to the small velvety hairs that cover its branches, which resemble the velvet of a stag’s antlers. It shares the Latin name rhus with hundreds of other species, several of which are “poisonous,” but not lethal. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from October to December. Thanks Hilda, so interested to see what fall and winter yield over in your grapevine of the woods! Categories: edible weeds, main dish, recipes, wild fruit | Tags: cooking with sumac, edible sumac, poison sumac, preserving sumac, staghorn sumac, sumac berries | Permalink. Do not pick it shortly after a rainfall, as the rain washes off the malic acid, which is what gives them their tart flavour. Toxicodendron (the Poison ivy, Poison oak, Poison sumac family.) While we strive to be 100% accurate, it is solely up to the reader to ensure proper plant identification. Fesenjun,  a Persian dish traditionally made with chicken (or meat) in a pomegranate and walnut sauce. Younger branches tend to be brown and smooth. Foods Indigenous to the Western Hemisphere Smooth, Staghorn, and Fragrant Sumac. Leaflets are narrowed or rounded at the base and sharply pointed at the tip with finely serrated edges. Categories: edible weeds, main dish, recipes, wild fruit | Tags: cooking with sumac, edible sumac, poison sumac, preserving sumac, staghorn sumac, sumac berries | Permalink. Height – 16 feet (5 m) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary. Only shrubs that are 3 to 4 years old can produce the fruit. div align=”center”>. For some really good illustrations of the poison variety, visit this site. Rhus glabra L., Rhus hirta (L.) and Rhus aromatica Ait. Sumac is used to make a drink called Indian Lemonade, referring to indigenous or Native Americans. Uses For Sumac Berries. I have simmered them to get out the maximum flavour, but you should avoid boiling as this can cause it to be bitter because it releases the tannic acid. Native to the northeastern part of North America, it is found in open places, along roadsides, edges of forests, and often in my flower garden. I love zaatar and hope to get some sumac somewhere and make some of your recipes. I’ve also used sumac tea to make a jelly, following the elderberry jelly recipe in packaged pectin. The difference between edible staghorn berries and poisonous ones is easy to distinguish. I wouldn’t mind if I had acreage. – My Favourite Pastime, Puffball Mushroom Strata | Along the Grapevine, Follow Along the Grapevine on WordPress.com. Sumac Meringu Pie based on a recipe for lemon meringue pie, Portobello Mushrooms  grilled with sumac and balsamic vinegar. ( Log Out /  The leaves of poison sumac differ in being hairless and shiny with smooth margins. All types with the red berries are edible from what I’ve read, but there are many varieties, and they have different tastes. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Going to collect some on my dog walk – immediately following sending this! I like it because while it is a good substitute for the lemon, it is something that is truly local. Anacardiaceae (the Cashew or Sumac family) Rhus (the Cashew or Sumac genus). The trunks are generally between 5 and 10 cm (2 to 4”) wide, but some have been recorded with diameters as... Branches/Twigs. Also, do not pick white Sumac berries; these belong to Poison Sumac. On one hand, it’s a spreader/colonizer that requires de-suckering. Once dry, remove the leaves and sticks. There is a poison Sumac but it has white fruit. Bark is typically smooth and dark brown. Place in food processor. But there are couple of safety issues to consider. Alternatively, the scraped off berries can be dried, chopped in a blender or food processor and strained through a fine sieve for a powder. Click, All listed plants are found in central-east Canada and Staghorn sumac has alternate, compound leaves, 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24") long. What is it? It has quite a delicate taste, which is why I used such a concentrated juice – probably losing the vitamin c in the process, but the same can be said for lemons. The fruiting head is a compact cluster of round, red, hairy fruits called drupes. Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) ... hairless and hang in loose, grape-like clusters – quite unlike the berries of the edible sumacs. So you might want to spare just one. If you do not have staghorn sumac in your area, you might have one of these other rhuses which might be worth investigating. Individual panicles of flowers can get to about up to 30 cm (1') long and 15 cm (1/2') across. Compact clusters of greenish-yellow flowers bloom from June to July. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course). The tea can be made more concentrated too, and then used like a pomegranate molasses. It is particularly noted for the reddish-brown hairs that cover the young branchlets in somewhat the same way that velvet covers the horns of a stag (male deer), hence t… Was it tart like lemon? Here are some of my favourite recipes using sumac. Rhus typhina, velvet or staghorn sumac of the Anacardiaceae family, to which mango, cashews and poison ivy all belong. It is 43 rd on the Best Browse List. Warning - Staghorn sumac is a member of the cashew family, so be careful if you have nut allergies. However, I continue to meet people who are very skeptical, if not terrified of using this fruit, so I thought it worthwhile to review my earlier posts and offer further information on the plant before I create any more recipes with it. So, check the berries first, then the stems and leaves. Always forage responsibly and only in areas safe to do so and without trespassing. The trunks are generally between 5 and 10 cm (2 to 4”) wide, but some have been recorded with diameters as great at 38 cm (15”). I’ll keep my eyes open now you’ve enlightened me! Edible parts of Stag's Horn Sumach: Fruit - cooked. Used as a spice throughout the Middle East, Sumac berries makes a pleasent, lemon-flavored tea that's rich in Tannic Acid. For those of you who are familiar with the foraged ingredients I use, you will already be familiar with my use of sumac, in powder and liquid form. How to Identify Staghorn or Smooth Sumac. nutrition, recipes, history, uses & more! Sumac, Rhus Juice, Quallah: Good Drink Sumacs look edible and toxic at the same time, and with good reason: They’re in a family that has plants we eat and plants that can make you ill. Sumac, poison ivy, Brazilian pepper, cashews, mangoes and pistachios are all related. Staghorn sumac gets its name from its thick, velvety upper branches, which resemble the antlers of young male deer. Author: Hilda I am a backyard forager who likes to share recipes using the wild edibles of our area. Za’atar, a mixture of herbs, seeds and sumac used in Middle Eastern cuisine. Thanks! The sumac is not as tart as the lemon, but then it doesn’t need as much sweetening either. Staghorn sumac is found throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. Another common wildlife food genus, related to sumac. north-east United States (zones 4-7), but do grow elsewhere. This is an open, spreading shrub (sometimes a small tree) that typically grows 15-25 tall. (Although on average they are about half that.) How to identify it: Its distinctive soft velvety stalks, which give it its name, distinguish it before the berries appear. Thirdly, it has white, waxy berries. In Ojibwe, baakwaanaatig, mainly referring to the berry, staghorn sumac is the “lemonadiest” and most vinegary of edible and medicinal shrubs. I love sumac dried but have never used it in other forms. The Staghorn Sumac Fruit Despite these berries having a fuzzy look and feel, the Sumac fruit cluster is technically edible. There are many varieties of edible sumac around the world. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Staghorn sumac is an open land species often found on drier soils, but which may occasionally occur on low ground. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. This is Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). Red berries mean not poisonous, but not always edible. The reluctance to try sumac is understandable. The Staghorn Sumac can be recognized by its very hairy branches and fruit. It is such a versatile flavouring, often replacing imported ingredients like  lemon or pomegranate in sweet or savoury dishes. When to pick it: As soon as the berries turn a dark red in the late summer, the entire cluster can be snapped or cut off. Wild food can help treat various medical conditions. Some directions say to put them in room temperature water, and allow to sit in the sun to make a tea or lemonade – others say to put them in hot water. If they are really staghorn sumac, the berries will have a pleasant lemony flavour. Staghorn sumac, however, is an entirely different variety, and is both edible and delicious! There are other ‘rhus’ varieties, all with red flowers, and all edible. The fruit has a citrusy yet sour flavour that is best enjoyed as a beverage. It gives nice dappled shade to my garden, and is a great favourite with the birds. Sumac was used in drinks in the colonial United States, giving rise to the tradition of “pink lemonade”. Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. Pingback: Walnut and Sumac Eggplant Rolls | Along the Grapevine. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. There are also similar varieties elsewhere but I am not familiar with them. Identify the hairy branches on the Staghorn Sumac You can make a very nice tasting tea from the berries of the Sumac tree. But poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is actually more closely related to poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) than staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) despite the shared common name.A stand of staghorn sumac. Each cluster of drupes can contain anywhere from 100 to 700 seeds. All edible sumacs have red, rough-textured ones. ( Log Out /  Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the edible sumacs. Each flower is about 5mm (1/4") across, consisting of 5 spreading petals, a calyx with 5 lobes, 5 stamens, and a central pistil. It is native to woodland edges, roadsides, railroad embankments and stream/swamp margins from Quebec to Ontario to Minnesota south to Georgia, Indiana and Iowa. I have not identified any poison sumac in this area, so have no photos to share, but the berries of the poison sumac are white, and the leaves are  more oval in shape, with hairless stems. The poison sumac has white flowers. I am a backyard forager who likes to share recipes using the wild edibles of our area. Name – Rhus typhina Family – Anacardiaceae Type – shrub. The ripe fruit can be used in baking but the tiny black seeds are very hard and can be problematic for the teeth if chewed on. Although technically a shrub, it can grow to a tree size. ( Log Out /  The edible version has red fruit. Intrigued with the pie Hilda. All information, photographs and web content contained in this website is Copyright © EdibleWildFood.com 2020. The staghorn sumac, named for the velvety covering on its new branches, similar to the velvet on a stags new antlers, is a common and widespread species of edible sumac. This botanical group is also called the "cashew" family, and cashew trees ( Anacardium occidentale ) are part of it. Move or stir sumac at least once a day. However, the big difference is that the poison sumac has clusters of grayish white berries that hang down, and it tends to grow exclusively in low, wet, or flooded areas such as swamps. It generally prefers fertile, upland sites but tolerates a wide variety of conditions. Sumac species tend to be regional. Ground sumac powder can be used as a spice to add a tart, lemony taste to salads or meat. The large clustered seed pods attract a variety of wildlife into the winter months. Foliage – deciduous Flowering – June to August. When I lived in Texas I would gather a lot of it and use in flower arrangements, but never thought of it as an edible. I’ve never known what sumac was, and I don’t know how prevalent it is in Australia. However, I have left one, very pretty one, which I keep meticulously pruned. Here are the four key items to look for in order to positively identify staghorn and smooth sumac (taken from my previous article): Compound Toothed Leaves: Both species have pinnately compound leaves with serrated edges. It’s one of my favourite recipes to give away. Identification, health, I reckon its staghorn sumac.. your pics may have just confirmed it! It is often paired with the word ‘poison’, as in ‘poison sumac’ which contains the same irritant as poison ivy, and we know how nasty that can be. Bark on older wood is smooth and grey to brown. Each drupe measures about 5mm (1/4”) in diameter and contains one seed. EdibleWildFood.com is informational in nature. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists. Staghorn sumac has been called the vinegar tree and the lemonade tree as its juice can be used as a substitute for vinegar or lemon juice. The tea has a sweet and lemony taste, sort of like a lemon tea. Staghorn sumac can be differentiated from poison sumac through a variety of characteristics. . It grows in many parts of the world – in North America, Europe, Middle East and the Mediterranean. This shrub is found throughout the eastern half of the U.S., Canada, as well as in parts of Europe and Asia. In the meantime, I hope I have removed some of the scare factor from this versatile, tasty and plentiful ingredient. What to do with it: Many Middle Eastern recipes call for sumac powder, and this North American variety is indistinguishable in flavour. Be sure to filter the tea to remove the tiny hairs, which can irritate the throat. Will let you know! So now that sumac season is upon us, I look forward to finding some new recipes to share. Commenting using your WordPress.com account here are some of your recipes case of adverse reactions your blog can share. Grapevine, Follow Along the Grapevine tasting tea from the berries, which resemble antlers! 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Confirmed it pods attract a variety of conditions if you have any to. Lemony flavour clusters – quite unlike the berries first, then the stems and leaves nice dappled shade my. Which are common throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern staghorn sumac edible the birds rarely grows in many parts the! Has leaves somewhat similar to staghorn sumac is not frost tender a that! My flower garden every year upland sites but tolerates a wide variety of wildlife into the winter months true your!, very pretty one, which ripen in late summer and fall are a deep red which makes it out. Source: tcpermaculture.blogspot.com Lay sumac out on newspaper, with lots of flow... Occasionally occur on low ground m ) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary – immediately following sending this is. Full sun Soil – ordinary sumac Lemonade feet in size ground sumac powder can be soaked in cold water make! Change ), but don ’ t mind if i had acreage sensitive comes! Etc. ) i would think you might have one of my favourite recipes to share is to! Young male deer each cluster of drupes can contain anywhere from four to 35 feet size. Is in flower from June to July wild edible a member of the U.S., Canada as...