Taxon: Rhus aromatica Aiton

Summary

Genus:

Rhus

Family:

Anacardiaceae

Subfamily:

Anacardioideae

Nomen number:

101780

Place of publication:

Hort. kew. 1:367. 1789

Verified:

11/07/1985 ARS Systematic Botanists.

Accessions:

16 (14 active, 5 available) in National Plant Germplasm System. (Map it)

Other conspecific taxa

Rhus aromatica Aiton var. aromatica (0 active accession[s])
Rhus aromatica Aiton var. pilosissima (Engl.) Shinners (0 active accession[s])
Rhus aromatica Aiton var. serotina (Greene) Rehder (1 active accession[s])
Rhus aromatica Aiton var. simplicifolia (Greene) Cronquist (1 active accession[s])
Rhus aromatica Aiton var. trilobata (Nutt.) A. Gray (27 active accession[s])

Autonyms (not in current use), synonyms and invalid designations

Heterotypic Synonym(s)
Rhus canadensis Marshall
Rhus canadensis Marshall var. canadensis

Images (1 total. Click on image for more.)

Conservation Status

Reference(s)

Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource)
APHIS. Agricultural Risk Management System United States Department of Agriculture.
Clark, R. C. 1971. The woody plants of Alabama. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 58:194.
Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas
Duke, J. A. et al. 2002. CRC Handbook of medicinal herbs
Encke, F. et al. 1984. Zander: Handwörterbuch der Pflanzennamen, 13. Auflage
Englert, J. M. et al. 1999-. USDA-NRCS Improved conservation plant materials released by NRCS and cooperators
Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen
Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: higher plants of California Note: = Rhus trilobata
Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening
Kartesz, J. T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. Note: with three varieties
Krüssmann, G. 1984. Manual of cultivated broad-leaved trees and shrubs (English translation of Handbuch der Laubgehölze. 1976)
Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third. A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada
Magee, D. W. & H. E. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast. A manual of the vascular flora of New England and adjacent New York.
McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1986. Flora of the Great Plains.
McGuffin, M., J. T. Kartesz, A. Y. Leung, & A. O. Tucker. 2000. Herbs of commerce, ed. 2 American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Radford, A. E. et al. 1964. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas.
Rehder, A. 1949. Bibliography of cultivated trees and shrubs.
Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol.
Steenis, C. G. G. J. van, ed. 1948-. Flora malesiana. Note: mentions
Steyermark, J. A. 1977. Flora of Missouri.
Wofford, B. E. Database of Tennessee vascular plants (on-line resource).
2018. Oklahoma vascular plant database

Common names

Language	Name	note	seq	Citation
English	aromatic sumac		1	Englert, J. M. et al. 1999-. USDA-NRCS Improved conservation plant materials released by NRCS and cooperators
English	fragrant sumac		1	Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third. A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada
English	lemon sumac		1	Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen
English	polecatbush		1	Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third. A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada
English	skunkbrush	as Rhus trilobata	1	Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: higher plants of California Note: = Rhus trilobata
English	squawbush	squaw is considered an offensive term	1	Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
English	sweet sumac		1	McGuffin, M., J. T. Kartesz, A. Y. Leung, & A. O. Tucker. 2000. Herbs of commerce, ed. 2 American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, Maryland.
German	duftender Sumach		2	Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen
German	Gewürz-Sumach		2	Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen
Swedish	doftsumak		2	Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource)

Distribution

order_code	Status	Continent	Subcontinent	Country	State	Note	Reference
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	Ontario	s.	Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol.
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	Québec	s.w.	Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Illinois		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Iowa		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Kansas		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Minnesota		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Missouri		Steyermark, J. A. 1977. Flora of Missouri.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Nebraska		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	North Dakota	w.	McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Oklahoma		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	South Dakota		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Wisconsin		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Connecticut	w.	Magee, D. W. & H. E. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast. A manual of the vascular flora of New England and adjacent New York.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Indiana		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Massachusetts	w.	Magee, D. W. & H. E. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast. A manual of the vascular flora of New England and adjacent New York.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Michigan		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	New Jersey		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	New York		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Ohio		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Pennsylvania		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Vermont	w.	Magee, D. W. & H. E. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast. A manual of the vascular flora of New England and adjacent New York.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	West Virginia		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Northern Mexico	Mexico	Baja		Standley, P. C. 1920. Trees and shrubs of Mexico. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 23:1-1721.
1	Native	Northern America	Northern Mexico	Mexico	Chihuahua		Standley, P. C. 1920. Trees and shrubs of Mexico. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 23:1-1721.
1	Native	Northern America	Northern Mexico	Mexico	Sonora		Standley, P. C. 1920. Trees and shrubs of Mexico. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 23:1-1721.
1	Native	Northern America	Northwestern U.S.A.	United States	Colorado		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	Northwestern U.S.A.	United States	Idaho		Hitchcock, C. L. et al. 1955-1969. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest.
1	Native	Northern America	Northwestern U.S.A.	United States	Montana		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	Northwestern U.S.A.	United States	Oregon		Hitchcock, C. L. et al. 1955-1969. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest.
1	Native	Northern America	Northwestern U.S.A.	United States	Washington		Hitchcock, C. L. et al. 1955-1969. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest.
1	Native	Northern America	Northwestern U.S.A.	United States	Wyoming		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	South-Central U.S.A.	United States	New Mexico		Martin, W. C. & C. R. Hutchins. 1980. A flora of New Mexico.
1	Native	Northern America	South-Central U.S.A.	United States	Texas		Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Alabama		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Arkansas		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Florida	n.w.	Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Georgia		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Kentucky		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Maryland		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Mississippi		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	North Carolina		Radford, A. E. et al. 1964. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	South Carolina		Radford, A. E. et al. 1964. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Tennessee		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Virginia		Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Colima		Standley, P. C. 1920. Trees and shrubs of Mexico. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 23:1-1721.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Guanajuato		Standley, P. C. 1920. Trees and shrubs of Mexico. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 23:1-1721.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Hidalgo		Standley, P. C. 1920. Trees and shrubs of Mexico. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 23:1-1721.
1	Native	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	Arizona		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	California		Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: higher plants of California
1	Native	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	Nevada		McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
1	Native	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	Utah		Welsh, S. L. et al. 1993. A Utah flora.
1	Native	Northern America	Western Canada	Canada	Alberta	s.	Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol.
1	Native	Northern America	Western Canada	Canada	Saskatchewan	s.	Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol.
2	Cultivated					also cult.	Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening

Native
Northern America

EASTERN CANADA: Canada [Québec (s.w.), Ontario (s.)]
WESTERN CANADA: Canada [Saskatchewan (s.), Alberta (s.)]
NORTHEASTERN U.S.A.: United States [Connecticut (w.), Indiana, Massachusetts (w.), Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont (w.), West Virginia]
NORTH-CENTRAL U.S.A.: United States [Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota (w.), Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin]
NORTHWESTERN U.S.A.: United States [Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming]
SOUTHEASTERN U.S.A.: United States [Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (n.w.), Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia]
SOUTH-CENTRAL U.S.A.: United States [New Mexico, Texas]
SOUTHWESTERN U.S.A.: United States [Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah]
NORTHERN MEXICO: Mexico [Baja, Chihuahua, Sonora]
SOUTHERN MEXICO: Mexico [Colima, Guanajuato, Hidalgo]

Cultivated (also cult.)

Reference(s)

Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas
Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: higher plants of California
Hitchcock, C. L. et al. 1955-1969. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening
Magee, D. W. & H. E. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast. A manual of the vascular flora of New England and adjacent New York.
Martin, W. C. & C. R. Hutchins. 1980. A flora of New Mexico.
McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
McGregor, R. L. et al. (The Great Plains Flora Association). 1977. Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains.
Radford, A. E. et al. 1964. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas.
Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol.
Standley, P. C. 1920. Trees and shrubs of Mexico. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 23:1-1721.
Steyermark, J. A. 1977. Flora of Missouri.
Welsh, S. L. et al. 1993. A Utah flora.

Economic Uses

Usage	Type	Reference
Environmental	ornamental	Krüssmann, G. 1984. Manual of cultivated broad-leaved trees and shrubs (English translation of Handbuch der Laubgehölze. 1976)
Medicines	folklore	Duke, J. A. et al. 2002. CRC Handbook of medicinal herbs
Medicines	folklore	McGuffin, M., J. T. Kartesz, A. Y. Leung, & A. O. Tucker. 2000. Herbs of commerce, ed. 2 American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, Maryland.

Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: https://npgstest.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=101780. Accessed 12 May 2026.