Shrub; 1-2 ½
M tall; flowers before leaf formation; Also known as: Lemonade sumac, Smooth sumac, Squawbush. |
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General
Description:
These are rounded shrubs up to 7 feet tall. The young twigs are puberulent.
The terminal, fan-shaped leaflet is about twice as large as two lateral ones
of the trifoliate leaves. The flowers appear before the leaves in the spring.
The yellow 1/8 inch long flowers are in ½ inch clusters at the end of
twigs. The resinous, reddish drupes can be brewed to make a lemonade tasting
drink, eaten raw or cooked, or ground to make cakes which could be dried for
future use. Native Americans split the twigs for making basketry. The leaves
were sometimes used as a tobacco substitute or mixed with tobacco. The bark
was also used to make baskets.
Distribution:
North Dakota to Washington, south to Texas and California
Habitat:
Along streams, wet places, cracks in lava.
Other:
Fruits are edible, fruits can be steeped to make a lemonade like drink