Winged Sumac, Shining Sumac, Flame-Leaf Sumac

Rhuscopallina

Family
Anacardiaceae (an-a-kard-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Rhus (roos)
Species
copallina (kop-al-EYE-nuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Deciduous
Height
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Trees
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Athens, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama

Opelika, Alabama

Deer, Arkansas

Morrilton, Arkansas

Denver, Colorado

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Bartow, Florida

Chiefland, Florida

Clearwater, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Lisle, Illinois

Benton, Kentucky

Clermont, Kentucky

Georgetown, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

Independence, Louisiana

Zachary, Louisiana

Takoma Park, Maryland

Brighton, Michigan

Fenton, Michigan

Howell, Michigan

Natchez, Mississippi

Saucier, Mississippi

Billings, Montana

Eufaula, Oklahoma

Jay, Oklahoma

Bluffton, South Carolina(2 reports)

Florence, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Ladys Island, South Carolina

Lexington, South Carolina

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas(2 reports)

Brownwood, Texas

De Leon, Texas

Hondo, Texas

Lipan, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Gordonsville, Virginia

Peterstown, West Virginia

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

8
positives
2
neutrals
2
negatives
Sort By:
Sort By:
R
Takoma Park, MD (Zone 7a) | August 2023 | negative

In a wild environment, this would be a wonderful native (to eastern US) plant, but it’s a monster in a typical older suburban yard. In ...Read More

B
Gordonsville, VA (Zone 7a) | August 2022 | positive

This is the latest-blooming type of sumac and is an important bee forage during the late summer nectar dearth in our area. It blooms in l...Read More

R
Downingtown, PA | August 2014 | positive

A handsome native shrub that I have seen wild in the acid, sandy soil of southern Delaware. Morton Arboretum has planted it in their silt...Read More

F
Rock Hill, SC (Zone 7a) | November 2012 | positive

A nice native addition to any woodland edge in the south:
Attractive shiny summer foliage
Can grow in full sun or light sha...Read More

T
T
Lakewood, CO (Zone 5a) | November 2012 | neutral

While some neighbors have totally eradicated their trees, I love mine. They make a good screen and the fall color is great. The fall sh...Read More

K
K
Fenton, MI | November 2012 | negative

I have found all types of Sumac very invasive. They are like the dandelion of the tree world and are just as difficult to eradicate from ...Read More

L
Austin, TX (Zone 8b) | February 2009 | positive

This small tree is a native to the very alkaline soils of Central Texas. It is fast-growing and easy to transplant and the leaves give a...Read More

J
(Zone 7b) | September 2005 | positive

Beautiful small understory tree beneath the oaks and mulberries on this southern Oklahoma acreage. Suckers to form small colonies. Mahoga...Read More

B
SC, MT (Zone 5a) | August 2004 | neutral

I have to go with a neutral on this little tree.

I have had mine going on twenty years now and it fills a little English...Read More

M
M
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | August 2004 | positive

A common sight in the fence-rows and fallow fields here in West KY. Huge stands line the roadways filling the area with early, brilliant ...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | May 2004 | positive

The Flameleaf sumac is a lovely small tree with wonderful fall color.
Mine has bloomed every year but has failed to set fruit. I w...Read More

A
Austin, TX (Zone 8b) | September 2003 | positive

Flame-leaf sumac, native to Central Texas, tends to form thickets via rhizomes and suckers. It grows prolifically in our semi-arid clima...Read More

Featured
Giant Leopard Moth
(Hypercompe scribonia)
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
Featured
Giant Leopard Moth
(Hypercompe scribonia)
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)