Endangered Species: FALSE POISON SUMAC / MICHAUX'S SUMAC
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Publication WSFNR-21-14C
March 2021
Endangered Species:
FALSE POISON SUMAC / MICHAUX’S SUMAC /
DWARF SUMAC Rhus michauxii (Sumac Family)
Dr. Kim D. Coder, Professor of Tree Biology & Health Care / University Hill Fellow
University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
Dwarf sumac is a small shrub, 0.3-1 meter (1-3.3 feet) tall. It grows in clumps.
Leaves are pinnately compound with 9-13 leaflets. Leaflets have fairly large, coarse teeth evenly
spaced along the leaflet edge. Leaflets are 5-9cm (2-3.5 inches) long and 2-5cm (0.2-2 inches) wide with a
sharp point. Leaves and twigs are heavily covered with trichomes (plant hairs). Many times the end-most
leaflet will have a winged stalk. The rest of the leaflets rest on the leaf stalk.
Flowers in June. Flowers of different sexes are on different plants. Whole clumps are usually of one
sex only. Flowers are in dense, strongly conical shaped, terminal clusters. Each small flower has 4-5 minute,
greenish-yellow petals. Fruiting is in August and September. Fruit is dark red, very hairy and about 5mm (0.2
inches) in diameter
Dwarf sumac is found in open, upland woods, along forest edges and maintained right-of-ways. Prefers
more droughty, full sun areas which have limited competition, especially from taller plants. Grows on sandy and
rocky sites and along ridge lines. Requires periodic disturbance of surrounding vegetation for sustainability.
Figure 1 shows the general distribution of dwarf sumac in the Southeastern United States. This species
is federally listed as an endangered species. It has been found historically near Coastal Plain sandhills and
across the Piedmont in five states. Figure 2 provides a county distribution in Georgia. Photographs are in-
cluded showing this native plant.
Citation:
Coder, Kim D. 2021. Endangered Species: FALSE POISON SUMAC / MICHAUX’S SUMAC /
DWARF SUMAC Rhus michauxii (Sumac Family). University of Georgia, Warnell School of
Forestry & Natural Resources Outreach Publication WSFNR21-14C. Pp.6.
The University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources offers educational programs,
assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, or disability.
The University of Georgia is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.
DWARF SUMAC Rhus michauxii -- Dr. Kim D. Coder
WS
MI
SD PA NJ
IOWA DE
OH
MY
NE IN
IL WV VA
KY
KS MO. NC
TN
SC
AR
OK
GA
AL
MS
TX
LA
FL
Figure 1: General distribution in the Southeastern US.
page 2
DWARF SUMAC Rhus michauxii -- Dr. Kim D. Coder
Figure 2: County distribution in Georgia.
DADE CATOOSA
TOWNS
LD
FANNIN
IE
RABUN
TF
MURRAY UNION
HI
W
WALKER
GILMER
AM
WHITE
SH
CHATTOOGA LUMPKIN
ER
GORDON STEPHENS
AB
PICKENS
H
FLOYD BARTOW
CHEROKEE
DAWSON
R
S YT
H
HALL BANKS
FRANKLIN
HART GEORGIA
FO
JACKSON MADISON ELBERT
POLK
BARROW
COBB GWINNETT CLARKE OGLETHORPE
PAULDING
O
HARALSON CO
NE
WALTON E WILKES LINCOLN
DEKALB
E
DOUGLAS FULTON
L
DA
CK
N
CARROLL
RO
Y TO
MORGAN GREENE
Mc DU FF IE
O
NEWTON RR COLUMBIA
FE
CLA
E
LIA
TT
HENRY TA
FAY E
COWETA WARREN
HEARD JASPER PUTNAM RICHMOND
SPALDING BUTTS HANCOCK
O CK
A SC
GL
R
HE
PIKE
ET
BALDWIN JEFFERSON BURKE
TROUP
IW
LAMAR MONROE
JONES
ER
WASHINGTON
M
UPSON
BIBB WILKINSON JENKINS
HARRIS
TALBOT JOHNSON SCREVEN
CRAWFORD
TWIGGS
MUSCOGEE EMANUEL
TAYLOR PEACH
Y LAURENS
K LE
HOUSTON EC
CHATTA-
MARION MACON BL TREUTLEN BULLOCH
EFFINGHAM
HOOCHEE CANDLER
RY
GOME
SCHLEY
PULASKI DODGE
DOOLY EVANS
STEWART WHEELER TOOMBS
R
MONT
S TE BRYAN
SUMTER
EB TATTNALL CHATHAM
W WILCOX
AN CRISP TELFAIR
I TM
U TERRELL LIBERTY
Q
LEE JEFF
RANDOLPH BEN HILL DAVIS APPLING
TURNER LONG
CLAY IRWIN
CALHOUN DOUGHERTY BACON WAYNE
WORTH COFFEE
McINTOSH
TIFT
EARLY BAKER
PIERCE
BERRIEN
ATKINSON
MITCHELL GLYNN
MILLER COLQUITT BRANTLEY
COOK WARE
ER
E
NI
OL
LA
MIN
DECATUR GRADY CLINCH CAMDEN
THOMAS LOWNDES CHARLTON
SE
BROOKS
ECHOLS
Background map from Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia.
page 3
DWARF SUMAC Rhus michauxii -- Dr. Kim D. Coder
Whole plants. (photo credits Dr. Kim D. Coder)
page 4
DWARF SUMAC Rhus michauxii -- Dr. Kim D. Coder
Leaves and leaflets.
(photo credits Dr. Kim D. Coder)
page 5
DWARF SUMAC Rhus michauxii -- Dr. Kim D. Coder
Flowers.
(photo credits Dr. Kim D. Coder)
page 6
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