Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures ( Shrubs ), 0 by htop

htop wrote:
Small-Leaved Sumac, Littleleaf Sumac (Rhus microphylla), Anacardiaceae Family, Texas native, perennial, deciduous, blooms in early spring

it inhabits the western three quarters of the state including the South Texas Plains and the Edwards Plateau being found in dry uplands, river-banks, gravelly mesas, canyons and rocky hillsides. The plant is adaptable to various soil types that has good drainage. It is valuable to wildlife. The leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer and small mammals. Cattle also browse the leaves. Quail, turkey and other birds eat the fruit. Several bird species eat the seeds. Its canopy is used for cover by small wildlife. It is used as a landscape plant as well.

For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62280/index.html

From May to July, the round, 1/4 inch, pea-sized, green ripening to orange-red to reddish brown, tangy lemon flavored fruits are produced. They are covered with red, short, sticky hairs and mature in late summer, but persist through the winter. The fruit can be made into a drink which is called "sumacade" which is tart and sour like lemonade.