BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Rhus copallinum | Flameleaf Sumac 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Flameleaf sumac is a deciduous, fast-growing, short-lived, clonal shrub
to small tree reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet (6-10 m) [11,15].  In
the open, the plant has an irregular, bushy crown with long slender,
alternate leaves on the branches.  The dioecious flowers are borne in
panicles clustered at the end of the branches.  The red fruit is a small
drupe containing a single nutlet.  The fruits form dense clusters and
remain on the plant through the winter [3,11,30].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Flameleaf sumac regenerates vegetatively by sprouting from the roots and
root crown [1,12].  It also regenerates sexually, but details have not
been described [15,32].  The seeds are dispersed by animals [8,35].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Flameleaf sumac can be found in open woodlands, fields, and along fence
rows but grows best on low bottomlands with well-drained, neutral to
slightly acidic soils [10,11,12,42].  It can also be found on poorly
drained soils, but its growth there is very slow.

Common associates of flameleaf sumac include sweetgum (Liquidambar
styraciflua), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana), redbay (Persea borbonia), dwarf huckleberry
(Gaylussacia dumosa), wax-myrtle (Myrica cerifera), fetterbush (Lyonia
lucida), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and titi (Cyrilla racemiflora)
[2,10,22].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Flameleaf sumac is an early-pioneer species that grows best in full
sunlight [36].  It is considered a fire climax species that rapidly
declines 3 to 4 years following fire [6,41].  


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Flameleaf sumac shows its most pronounced growth between April and May.
It flowers between July and August.  The fruit ripens during September
and October, and persists through the winter [3,40].

Related categories for Species: Rhus copallinum | Flameleaf Sumac