Skunk Bush. Rhus aromatica, Sumac Family ( Anacardiaceae ), Skunk Bush. Also called Fragrant Sumac, Lemon Sumac, Polecat Bush, Rhus trilobata, Rhus aromatica var. aromatica, Rhus aromatica var. illinoensis, Schmaltzia crenata. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Skunk bush or fragrant sumac is an irregular, spreading, deciduous shrub, 6 - 12 ft. tall, with velvety twigs and lower branches turned up at the tips. Its glossy, somewhat blue-green, coarsely toothed, trifoliate leaves turn orange, red, purple and yellow in the fall. Yellowish catkin-like flowers precede dark-red berries which persist into March. It grows as a sprawling, small to medium-size shrub with aromatic foliage. Many birds and mammals feed on the fruit. Leaves turn bright red-purple in fall. The bright hairy berries of Sumac have a pleasant tart lemonade taste and make a refreshing drink. Quick Notes: Height: About 6 - 12 feet. Spreading 5 - 6 feet. Flowers: Petioles about 2cm long, pubescent to glabrous. Petals 5, yellow, to 3mm long, with sparse cilia internally, free. Stamens 5, erect, yellowish. Anthers, .5mm in diameter, yellow-orange. Style 1, 3-lobed. Ovary surrounded by yellow disk. Sepals 5, united at base. Flowering Time: March - April. Leaves: Leaves are Trifoliate, deciduous. fragrant when crushed. Bark: Distinctive reddish brown, smooth, glossy, attractive, exfoliating bark. Fruit: Pubescent, red or orange. Found: Native to Canada and the United States. Seven species of Rhus in Arizona. Hardiness: USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) 8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: 2,500 to 7,500 Feet. Habitat: Rocky canyon hillsides, near streams, and in fairly arid sandy soils. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken at Yarnell, Arizona. Flowers On March 23, 2007. Fruit On June 6, 2007.

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