Staghorn Sumac Note Card

There are many types of sumac, but only the poison sumac is to be avoided. The Smooth Sumac and Staghorn Sumac actually have herbal uses in many cultures,and the powdered berries are used as a citrus-like addition to foods. The red-berried varieties can be used to make a drink similar to lemonade. Poison Sumac gives a horrible rash that is worse than Poison Ivy, and the berries are toxic; it only grows in extremely wet conditions, is hard to find, and has white berries that form in a loose bunch rather than the tight, hairy bunches of red berries belonging to Smooth and Staghorn Sumac. Staghorn Sumac leaves have notches, while Smooth Sumac leaves don’t.