I used to work for the Ute Mountain Ute Indians in White Mesa, Utah, and I saw the elders there gather the long slender stems of Sumac, peel them with their teeth, and then weave them over other stems to make redolent baskets of many shapes and sizes.  The weavers call this plant "Willow" and when I came out with my botanical knowledge and told them that the plant really is a Sumac called "Rhus aromatica", they shouted out, "Rhoos, shmoos, this is WILLOW"; they continued their weaving.  So much for the importance of names.

     Linnaeus utilized the classical Latin name, "Rhus", when naming this genus in 1753.  John Bartram collected the first specimens of our native species in the Carolinas and the plant was at first named Rhus aromaticum.  From specimens collected by Thomas Nuttall in the early 18th century, the plant was given a name that is still often attached to it, Rhus trilobata.  The presently accepted name, Rhus aromatica, was given by Asa Gray in 1871.

Semi-desert, foothills, montane. Woodlands, canyons. Spring.
Bill Canyon Trail, Utah, April 1, 2004.

Rubbing the leaves or stems of Rhus aromatica produces a lovely, aromatic pungency. And the plant, although twisting and sprawling, is also visually appealing all year: A myriad of tiny yellow early spring flowers are followed by handsome, light green slightly serrated leaves; then come red lemonade-tasting berries; and finally the brilliance of yellow and red fall leaves.  Rhus aromatica is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, growing on rocky canyon hillsides, near streams, and in fairly arid sandy soils.  It grows slowly in the Four Corners area, lives many years, and is commonly six to ten feet high and wide.

The bright hairy berries of Sumac have a pleasant tart lemonade taste and make a refreshing drink for the trail when added to a water bottle.

Semi-desert, foothills, montane. Woodlands, canyons. Spring.
Near Yellowjacket Canyon, October 5, 2006.

Rhus aromatica is probably the showiest of fall bushes in the Four Corners area.  This photograph shows about half of a bush five feet high and wide.

Semi-desert, foothills, montane. Woodlands, canyons. Spring.
Near Yellowjacket Canyon, November 1, 2005.