Sumac

[KristyHall]

So this painfully annoying shrub keeps showing up in my pasture. After asking around several people told me it was sumac. This upset me since I think of poison sumac. I was repeatedly told this pretty shrub my horses won't touch with it's crimson spikes and berries like torches in the fall is not only NOT poisin sumac, but a variaty that has seeds you can eat.

It makes a spice when ground, so I am told. Still I am suspicious. I looked it up online and sure enough the pictures of sumac are the same as the ones in my pasture. So I was wondering, other than poison sumac, is there a poisonous plant out there that looks like the spice making bush called sumac? I don't want to go out there and try these little seedlike red berries and die.

 

[chiques chicks]

Not that I am aware of. You can also step the rope berries to make a drink. Ice never had it, but am told it is lemony.
When I was a kid we used the Woody trunks to make teepees. Never got poison handling it, but o rarely get poison Ivy, either.

 

[catdaddyfro]

I think alot of people confuse these two any ways. Here's what I see a lot of around these parts, I too keep my eyes peeled for any Poison Sumac as my Mom is deathly allergic to it so much it can't be burned in a brush pile anywhere close to her.

This is White Shoemake which alot of people slangely call Sumac(shoemake)

http://luirig.altervista.org/photos-search/index2.php?rcn=48456

Jeff

PS matter of fact I have one (white shoemake) growing in one of my chicken runs for a shade bush.

 

[Mattemma]

We buy ground sumac at the middle eastern stores.It is good with lemon and oil on salads.Some put it on rice or steamed veggies.

I always wanted to grow my own sumac.Lucky you!

I totally get your hesitation though. I have a shrub that looks almost like my elderberry that I planted,but I am afraid to eat the berries.The leaves are just a wee bit different. I leave it for the birds,but I may just cut it out.Bummer if it really is elderberry.

 

[KristyHall]

We buy ground sumac at the middle eastern stores.It is good with lemon and oil on salads.Some put it on rice or steamed veggies.

I always wanted to grow my own sumac.Lucky you!

I totally get your hesitation though. I have a shrub that looks almost like my elderberry that I planted,but I am afraid to eat the berries.The leaves are just a wee bit different. I leave it for the birds,but I may just cut it out.Bummer if it really is elderberry.

you're welcome to come get all the sumac you want. This stuff takes over!

 

[WorkingWith]

Sounds like staghorn sumac


It grows in our back lot. The berries can be dried and soaked to make a drink. We've had it there for years.

 

[SweetSilver]

http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/tove.html

Great pictures of poison sumac in all stages of growth.