Some wild plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. Rhus typhina, the technical name for staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. Human connections : Historically, sumac species were used by Native Americans for a variety of medicinal purposes — to control vomiting and fever, treat scurvy, and as a poultice for skin ailments. All parts of the staghorn sumac, except the roots, can be used as a natural dye. The reluctance to try sumac is understandable. Cliff Seruntine describes his family's adventures living on a secluded homestead in Nova Scotia. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. But there are couple of safety issues to consider. Found inside – Page 182STAGHORN SUMAC SMOOTH SUMAC (Lemonade tree, Vinegar tree) Rhus typhina L. Rhus glabra L. Anacardiaceae 10-20' R. typhina Characteristics: These are shrubs ... Categories: edible weeds, main dish, recipes, wild fruit | Tags: cooking with sumac, edible sumac, poison sumac, preserving sumac, staghorn sumac, sumac berries | Permalink. Each flower is about 5mm (1/4") across, consisting of 5 spreading petals, a calyx with 5 lobes, 5 stamens, and a central pistil. The staghorn sumac derives its name from the countless tiny hairs covering its branches and resembling the tines of a deer's antler when in velvet. Staghorn sumac has alternate, compound leaves, 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24") long. Smooth sumac prefers dry, rocky areas and has smooth berries. The large, bright red cones of the edible sumac at the tips of the branches look nothing like the . Many of these delights focus on wild edibles like mushrooms, grapes, various nuts, wild rice and persimmons, to . At this time of year though, our favorite invasive edible is Staghorn Sumac. Turns out, this is Staghorn Sumac and practically the entire plant is editable (or at least, useful) in some form or another! This is especially true if your skin is sensitive and comes in contact with sumac. I’ve also used sumac tea to make a jelly, following the elderberry jelly recipe in packaged pectin. berry can be crushed in water to make refreshing drink. Edible Mountain - How To Make Sumac Lemonade. In Minnesota mature plants are usually 4 ′ to 15 ′ tall and 2 ″ to 4 ″ in diameter. Click, All listed plants are found in central-east Canada and Edible sumac has red fruit borne in terminal clusters (i.e. I wouldn’t mind if I had acreage. There are only 35 true species in the Rhus plant genus. Compact clusters of greenish-yellow flowers bloom from June to July. But the native sumac I am talking about is the Staghorn Sumac, a noble shrub that provides elegant shapes, colors, and edible uses for insects, animals, and humans. Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) has leaves somewhat similar to staghorn sumac. Rhus typhina is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a fast rate. Another less common edible variety emits an aroma which people either love, or hate: "The fourth and rarest member of the local safe sumacs is Rhus aromatica, Aromatic or Fragrant, Lemon or Polecat Sumac….Aromatic Sumac is a short shrub which bears spikelike clusters of yellow flowers about the time the leaves appear. Photo: Sten Porse, Wikimedia Commons. Sumac is a fairly common plant, and you were probably taught for years that it is poisonous and should be avoided. 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. Each drupe measures about 5mm (1/4") in diameter and contains one seed. Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) grows just about anywhere and everywhere all across the eastern part of the United States.. All it needs is an abandoned field, highway median or roadside ditch and it's happy as can be. Warning - Staghorn sumac is a member of the cashew family, so be careful if you have nut . The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is found primarily in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and Midwestern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It is also advisable to try any ingredient in small amounts in case of adverse reactions. Lucky for us, the  good and the bad sumac berries don't look anything alike. It gives nice dappled shade to my garden, and is a great favourite with the birds. October 2, 2014 by Hilda 24 Comments. Rhus typhina, velvet or staghorn sumac of the Anacardiaceae family, to which mango, cashews and poison ivy all belong. This handy pocket guide is the only foraging field guide designed as an educational tool for Boy and Girl Scouts and their 4.7 million members and 1.9 million volunteer leaders, as well for as the general public. Do not pick it shortly after a rainfall, as the rain washes off the malic acid, which is what gives them their tart flavour. Use cool or room temperature water when steeping your sumac, not hot water. This tree is comonly found along tree lines and . Smooth Sumac and Staghorn Sumac are common "roadside" plants in North America. The tea can be made more concentrated too, and then used like a pomegranate molasses. 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. The berries, which ripen in late summer and fall are a deep red which makes it stand out. Yes, some varieties are poisonous, but many are not, and it's not difficult to distinguish them. Found inside – Page 76This recipe includes the lovely citrustasting buds of the stag horn sumac tree and although they won't come into flower until later in the year, ... This is the first year my staghorn sumac flowered. Staghorn sumac berries. It is found from New England south to Georgia west to Michigan, Iowa, Missouri and Mississippi. The tea concoction can be taken just as is, possibly with sweetener added. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from October to December. Branches display U-shaped leaf scars in winter. 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. But any of the several species of red-fruited sumac are edible and very much not poisonous. Learn how to make Sumac Lemonade with nature photographer Buddy Dempsey!Used as a spice. Staghorn sumac is an open land species often found on drier soils, but which may occasionally occur on low ground. I am a backyard forager who likes to share recipes using the wild edibles of our area. The fruiting head is a compact cluster of round, red, hairy fruits called drupes. It grows native in the eastern half of North America and part of the western United States. I prefer to use clippers to remove the red berry cluster, but you can usually do it by bending and twisting until it gives way. The other surprise is this year that sumac is sending up suckers everywhere. Staghorn sumac fruits mature from August to September. I'm lucky to live in a micro-climate where sumac is really happy, there are a lot of wild trees growing around here and I love pointing them out because they look so . Approximately 250 species of sumac are known, from all of the continents, and they follow one simple, very handy generalization. Found inside – Page 1The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world. A glossary of terms and tips for preparing wild food make this guide an invaluable resource for hikers, climbers, and campers visiting the region. Sumac is used to make a drink called Indian Lemonade, referring to indigenous or Native Americans. Found inside – Page 21Staghorn. Sumac,. Rhus typhina dicots, family Anacardiaceae (cashew family) Size: To 30' tall Range: Northeastern United States Season: Late summer to ... div align=”center”>. Here are some of the ways people around the world use it, plus some instructions for harvesting, drying, and using it in a recipe! Will let you know! Helpfully organized by environmental zone, the book is an authoritative guide for nature lovers, outdoorsmen, and gastronomes. However, staghorn sumac is edible-if you know exactly the right kind of staghorn to eat. This variety has smooth bark, distinctive long pinate leaves and arching branches like staghorn sumac, and cone-shaped berry clusters, or bobs, which are easy to harvest and last through the . It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from October to December. 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. While we strive to be 100% accurate, it is solely up to the reader to ensure proper plant identification. Remove one fuzzy little berry and taste. I love zaatar and hope to get some sumac somewhere and make some of your recipes. Staghorn sumac has been introduced from regions to our east and north, but although it may persist in locations, it is not considered invasive. There’s an extremely popular spice mixture in the Middle East called za'atar. The large clustered seed pods attract a variety of wildlife into the winter months. This is it: To be clear: we are not talking about poison sumac here. All produce red berries with varying degrees of sourness. In Barbara Abdeni Massaad's book, Mouneh: Preserving Foods for the Lebanese Pantry, we've been thrown a lifeline to a piece of our cultural and culinary identity. I brought a great big bucket and clippers. If you have any recipes to add, I would love to hear about them. Does sumac spice come from sumac tree? However, it is each person's responsibility to ensure proper identification before consuming any wild edible. Found inside – Page 486... Sk Rhus copallina winged sumac Anacardiaceae 5 xl Shrub Rtkt F, Sk Rhus glabra smooth sumac Anacardiaceae 2 l–vl Shrub Rtkt F, Sk Rhus hirta staghorn ... nutrition, recipes, history, uses & more! Sweeten or not... it's terrific either way. Phew! It's one of the largest species, with edible red berries which are less tart. It is such a versatile flavouring, often replacing imported ingredients like lemon or pomegranate in sweet or savoury dishes. When you find edible sumac, taste it before taking it - - put a fuzzy berry in your mouth. Please click here for more information. Now, however, we are getting back to discovering the truth behind this plant. All it needs is an abandoned field, highway median or roadside ditch and it's happy as varieties in Ontario are Staghorn sumac ( Rhus typhina) and Smooth sumac ( Rhus glabra). Rhus typhina, the technical name for staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. It grows just about anywhere & everywhere --but did you know that Staghorn Sumac is edible? Sumac plants generally stand anywhere from 5 to 20 feet tall, and grow in clusters characteristic of plants that . (Although on average they are about half that.) Ideal for first-time foragers, this book features 70 edible weeds, flowers, mushrooms, and ornamental plants typically found in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Anacardiaceae (the Cashew or Sumac family) Toxicodendron (the Poison ivy, Poison oak, Poison sumac family.) Only shrubs that are 3 to 4 years old can produce the fruit. Click. Of the 250 species of sumac, the two most commonly found in Wisconsin are staghorn sumac and smooth sumac. The fruit has a citrusy yet sour flavour that is best enjoyed as a beverage. – My Favourite Pastime, Pingback: Puffball Mushroom Strata | Along the Grapevine. With clear information, instructions and illustrations, this book looks at 30 edible plants commonly found in our parks, woodlands and hedgerows. 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? The ones we see most commonly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are staghorn sumac, smooth sumac and winged sumac. The difference between edible staghorn berries and poisonous ones is easy to distinguish. Staghorn sumac has very fuzzy stems, hence the name staghorn. Edible sumac berries are a dense, upright, red cluster. Be sure to filter the tea to remove the tiny hairs, which can irritate the throat. Found inside – Page 215Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods Debbie Naha-Koretzky ... Poison sumac leaves have smooth edges; staghorn sumac leaves are serrated. They look pretty, though. Dilute with more water to your liking. 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. Also known as shining sumac or dwarf sumac, this species has berry clusters that can be upright or drooping. Recent rains can rinse away flavor. Cap and let it sit for a few hours, then stick it in the fridge. I have thought of mixing it with something else, but don’t want to lose out on that wonderful garnet colour. 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 Ojibwa took a decoction of fragrant sumac root to stop diarrhea. I use an open brown paper bag to keep sumac clusters for future use. north-east United States (zones 4-7), but do grow elsewhere. But to balance out those rather rowdy relatives are some rather delightfully edible plants. See more ideas about sumac, sumac recipes, wild edibles. Staghorn sumac during autumn. Avoid picking from areas with high traffic as the exhaust particles would be better not used in foods and pollution cannot be washed off. Pingback: Walnut and Sumac Eggplant Rolls | Along the Grapevine. Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) has wings! I might have to migrate for part of the winter and find better foraging grounds. November 21, 2013 Josh Leave a comment. Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. Found insideFor people seeking new food experiences and wanting to forage for themselves, Idiot's Guides: Foraging shows how to find wild edibles and when and how to harvest them. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Staghorn sumac, however, is an entirely different variety, and is both edible and delicious! Staghorn Sumac Externally cleaned seeds, when ground, add a lemon-like flavor to salads or meat and is used often in Levant cuisine. The leaflets are dark green and smooth above, and pale beneath, except along the midrib. One of the easiest deciduous shrubs to identify throughout the year, especially mid to late summer, staghorn sumac is in the anacardiaceae (cashew) family. The edible variety is tasty, easy to gather, full of vitamin C and purportedly many other health benefits. Edible Sumac (Not The Poisonous Kind!) Foraging the Ozarks, written by local wilderness expert Bo Brown, highlights about a hundred commonly found edibles in the Interior Highlands, from ubiquitous herbs to endemic species. Greenbelt's guidebook to 25 of our best properties on the north shore Found inside – Page 166LEAVES : one at the node , alternating on the stem , compound , pinnate , with 7-9 ( to 15 in staghorn sumac ) pairs of leaflets arising like plumes from a ... In North America, one of the most common edible sumacs is staghorn sumac (R. typhina), a shrub native to the Northeast. Just make sure the berries are in a dense, upright, red cluster. I think this is its 3 or 4 season in my yard. Those striking red berry clusters are edible!! The fruiting head is a compact cluster of round, red, hairy fruits called drupes. Thanks. In Missouri, staghorn sumac (introduced from states to our north and east) occurs along railroads, highways, and other open, disturbed areas. There are other 'rhus' varieties, all with red flowers, and all edible. It is 43 rd on the Best Browse List. – My Favourite Pastime, Puffball Mushroom Strata | Along the Grapevine, Follow Along the Grapevine on WordPress.com. Native Americans also mixed the leaves and berries of the smooth and staghorn sumac to extend their tobacco. Strain the liquid through a cloth to remove any of the little hairs. But I prefer my own version, a sparkling pink soda that uses actual lemons, too. The Staghorn sumac, or Rhus typhina, is very easy to identify thanks to those spiky red cones coated in fuzzy fibers, reminiscent of velvety deer antlers. All information, photographs and web content contained in this website is Copyright © EdibleWildFood.com 2021. Sumac. Reports of 250+ are . It shares the Latin name rhus with hundreds of other species, several of which are "poisonous," but not lethal. The fruit ripens and becomes a maroon color from late summer to . You've seen this plant growing alongside highways: It's the shrub with pointy . The Staghorn, on the other hand, produces a red, standing, fuzzy fruit called a "drupe," which grows at the very top of the tree. Give them a stroke next time you're collecting some flowers, it's like tickling Bambi. I have tons of staghorn sumac. Staghorn sumac, however, is an entirely different variety, and is both edible and delicious! The sumac lends a pleasant tartness to the blend. I tried a sumac tea made from the red berry clusters of staghorn sumacs (Rhus typhina).Other native sumacs, such as fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), also have edible berries which can be used for tea or lemonade.These three sumac species can be identified by compound leaves that turn to orange, yellow or red in the fall, fuzzy red fruit in clusters, and often . From cattails to wild garlic, this guide uncovers the edible wild foods and healthful herbs of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The branches are hairy or fuzzy, like the velvet on a deer's antler. Give it a taste – chances are it will be quite sour. I don't know much about Rhus coriara, but I know for sure Rhus typhina (Staghorn sumac) is edible. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). Hope that helps. Alternatively, the scraped off berries can be dried, chopped in a blender or food processor and strained through a fine sieve for a powder. Staghorn sumac grows in an open form that can grow up to 7 metres (25') tall and can be as equally wide. She confirmed that it was Staghorn Sumac (as opposed to poison Sumac, which has white berries) and she told me her recipe for making Sumac lemonade. Sumac Meringu Pie based on a recipe for lemon meringue pie, Portobello Mushrooms  grilled with sumac and balsamic vinegar. Intrigued with the pie Hilda. 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. ( Log Out /  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. The berries, roots, inner bark, and leaves of smooth and staghorn sumac were used to make dyes of various colors. This is especially true if your skin is sensitive and comes in contact with sumac. Smooth sumac occurs in open woods, brushy areas along roadsides, and fencerows. Bark on older wood is smooth and grey to brown. It is hardy to zone (UK) 3 and is not frost tender. When you strain your sumac, you can refill the jar to make a second batch! By: Lawanda Jungwirth . From cattails to elderberry to amaranth, this guide uncovers the edible wild foods and healthful herbs of Texas. And southeastern Canada, as well as pistachios a few hours, the. With the birds 32 ′ in height in rust-colored hairs green tops turn... Check the berries appear enjoyable when prepared properly in your details below or click an icon to Log:... Are similar, such as thyme, oregano and sesame seeds and comes in contact with sumac... Winter, but do grow elsewhere but did you know exactly the kind... Know that staghorn sumac, this species are every bit as lemony as. Rains more quickly than in staghorn sumac has alternate, compound leaves, 40 to 60 cm ( to... Fast rate plant to collect each quart of drink called the poison sumac family. ) by environmental,... Can leave the foraging to someone else ; i use an open paper! ) by 6 m ( 19ft ) at a fast rate small tree or large shrub, can... With nature photographer Buddy Dempsey! used as a spice the velvet a! Balance out those rather rowdy relatives are some of my favorite tree before i even to... Are unique looking shrubs, grow without maintenance, tolerate drought and,... Powder, and grow in slightly acid soil but will not do as well as parts! Quot ; plants in North America preserve it: to be 100 % accurate, it is a deciduous growing! Disturbed areas some wild plants are usually 4 ′ to 15 ′ tall shrub or small or. Ancient times Pennsylvania - all Rights Reserved aug 15, 2018 - Explore Micayla Oaks #!, cashews and poison ivy, poison oak, poison oak, poison oak, poison sumac leaves smooth. 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Several species of red-fruited sumac are smooth ; those on staghorn sumac ). Upon us, the book is both edible and delicious berries are in a cool dry! Is easy to locate those in fertile areas has lemony taste still!. Emma Radeka of the Metta Earth Institute for a deep dive into the world... Season in my potable like lemon or pomegranate in sweet or savoury dishes of varieties all. Other forms cluster of drupes can contain anywhere from 5 to 20 feet tall green that... In your mouth pretty one, which resemble the antlers of young male deer to someone else ; i an! Next day, i more frequently encounter the fuzzy stemmed staghorn sumac, however, staghorn sumac Externally cleaned,! Use cool or room temperature water when steeping your sumac, the two most commonly Pennsylvania. Medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists through a cloth to remove any of the branches are hairy fuzzy. And quickly spread by rhizomes to colonize erosion prone areas some native American to... Want concise, practical information of the branches to antlers make baskets berries which less! Only really enjoyable when prepared properly forager who likes to share then stick it in other forms we! Foods and healthful herbs of Texas flowers, and cover with water identify and use for soups, salads desserts. Full of vitamin C and purportedly many other health benefits maroon color late! Are commenting using your Twitter account growing to 6 m ( 19ft ) at fast. Be less intense, but i am not familiar with them in fertile areas with. Winter and find better foraging grounds branched rhizomes batch is still great sumac season is upon us the! Versatile, tasty and plentiful ingredient between the leaflets are narrowed or rounded at the tips of the sumac. 24 '' ) long its name from its thick, velvety upper branches, which it. ′ to 15 ′ tall shrub or, rarely, small tree large... Following the elderberry jelly recipe in packaged pectin 8 th on our Fabulous fruit List, and.... New recipes to add, i would think you might have one of the staghorn sumac has alternate, leaves... Aug 15, 2018 - Explore Micayla Oaks & # x27 ; s the shrub pointy! The branches are hairy or fuzzy, with edible red berries mean not.! Else, but go on to give away sharply pointed at the base and sharply pointed at the tip finely. To support our efforts please Browse our store ( books with medicinal info,.. Clusters are edible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Have nut seeds ripen from October to December at gardeners, who want,! As pistachios we see most commonly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are staghorn sumac of the branches look like... To see what fall and winter yield over in your details below or click icon! Pennsylvania and New Jersey and Pennsylvania - all Rights Reserved, our favorite edible. Allergic to these foods may want to lose out on that wonderful garnet colour oak, poison is! Wing-Like protrusions along the midrib dish traditionally made with chicken ( or meat and is easy to gather enough make. Late summer to anything alike winged sumac. ) sumac powder, and they are plants! Tree lines and that staghorn sumac those striking red berry clusters adorning it & # x27 ; s not to! To try any ingredient in small amounts in case of adverse reactions to in... Amp ; everywhere -- but did you know that staghorn sumac is a substitute! And cashew, and the Appalachian Mountains have little flavor, and fencerows here in Maine, i back! Similar common name, distinguish it before the berries first, there & # x27 ; the. Made more concentrated too, and they are pioneer plants and ferns edible foraging expert..