Rhus typhina
(staghorn sumac)

R. typhina thrives in a variety of habitats, including disturbed sites, such as old field margins, roadsides, and fence rows. It also grows singly or in large colonies on the edge of wooded areas or more commonly on dry rocky soil along ditch banks and abandoned fields (Doust and Doust, 1988). R. typhina sprouts easily and grows rapidly, which can eliminate or reduce the abundance of many other species that cannot persist in the shade it creates. For this reason it has been identified as a weed or invasive in the USA (Uva et al., 1997; USDA-NRCS, 2009) and in the Czech Republic (Mollerova, 2005).

R. typhina is a native of eastern USA and north Canada, with a current range extending north to Quebec, south to Georgia, and as far west as Iowa (USDA-NRCS, 2009). As an ornamental, it has been deliberately introduced to many countries in Europe and Asia, such as Germany (Boyle et al., 2008), Switzerland (Lenzin et al., 2004), Austria (Essl, 2008), the Czech Republic (Mollerova, 2005), Korea (Kim and Chung, 1995) and China (Pan and You, 1994).

At a local level in its native range, the seeds of R. typhina may disperse via birds (Foster and Gross, 1999; USDA-NRCS, 2009). The long distance spreading is mainly dependent on the deliberate introduction for ornamental and rehabilitation purposes. For this reason, the introduction of R. typhina could be easily controlled.

R. typhina generally prefers fertile, upland sites, but tolerates a wide variety of conditions. It is tolerant of slightly acid soil conditions and textures ranging from coarse to fine. Typical growing sites include open fields and roadsides, fence rows, railroad rights-of-way, and burned areas. It also thrives in polluted city air, and grows in such inhospitable sites as cracks in the pavement. R. typhina is not highly shade-tolerant and is considered to be an early successional species (USDA-NRCS, 2009).

Genetics

Chromosome number (2n) = 30 (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2010). See Coombes (1994) for further information on the genetics of this species. This paper describes the botanical characteristics, nomenclature and origins of R. typhina.

Reproductive Biology

R. typhina can reproduce sexually by producing seeds or asexually by rhizomatous growth. Its seed germination rate is less than 20% due to a water-impermeable endocarp. Treatment with gibberellic acid (GA) (0-1000 mg/l) or cold stratification (0-30 days at 4°C) can improve germination (Norton, 1985). Under natural conditions, the germination of its seeds can be enhanced by passage through the digestive system of rabbits, ring-necked pheasants and quail, or encouraged by the presence of fire (Izhaki et al., 1992; USDA-NRCS, 2009). In China, reproduction is mainly via rhizomes (horizontal underground stems). With the spreading of rhizomes, an area can become populated by many related plants, with overlapping crowns that give the appearance of a dense colony, with an extensive rounded or flat top. As colonies enlarge, older plants tend to be located in the centre and younger plants emerge around the ever-expanding perimeter.

Physiology

R. typhina has a low nitrogen and soluble sugar content and high tannin content (Li et al., 2007). This high antifeedant activity could distinctly inhibit the survival and fecundity of many insects, especially spider mites [Tetranychidae].

R. typhina has a distinctive biomass allocation and growth strategy. The stem of the clonal ramet and the front part of the lateral root belong to the dominant and subdominant growth and the storage centre of photosynthetic products (Zhang et al., 2005, 2008). The front part of the lateral root diameter is twice as large as the back. This asymmetry of diameter of the clonal ramet root becomes more significant with increasing age and has little correlation to topography (Zhang et al., 2004). Such pattern of biomass enables R. typhina to reproduce in a short time. As for newly emerged clonal ramets, the growth rate of the lateral branch and leaf is much faster than the height, which facilitates clonal ramets of R. typhina to form a dominant synusium (Zhang et al., 2004). The clonal integration of R. typhina allow its ramets to be better adapted to weak light beneath its overstorey than other species such as Vitex negundo var. heterophylla, which further enhances its competition ability in the spreading area (Zhang et al., 2007).

Environmental Requirements

R. typhina prefers a warm temperate climate, characterized by summer precipitation or a fully humid climate. In North America, its current range extends north to Quebec and south to Georgia, where mean annual temperature ranges from 4 to 18°C and the maximum temperature in the hottest month is from 22 to 34ºC. In China, its distribution area covers various climate types from a temperate continental arid to semi-arid climate, to a subtropical ocean climate, with an annual rainfall range from 300 to 1200 mm.

R. typhina has a low fertility requirement, that enables it to endure diverse soil types from coarse to fine. It prefers the medium textured soils, but is not adapted to fine textured soils. The pH value range it can endure varies from 4.5 to 7.2 (USDA-NRCS, 2009).

R. typhina has a wide resistance to insects and diseases. R. typhina has a high antifeedant activity against spider mites [Tetranychidae] and may distinctly inhibit their survival and fecundity (Li et al., 2007). Lygocoris communis have been found on R. typhina (Boivin and Stewart, 1982). The fungus, Botryosphaeria ribis may cause damage to R. typhina (Juhasova et al., 2005).

Environmental

• Amenity
• Erosion control or dune stabilization
• Firebreak
• Landscape improvement
• Revegetation
• Shade and shelter
• Soil conservation
• Soil improvement

Fuels

• Fuelwood

General

• Botanical garden/zoo

Human food and beverage

• Honey/honey flora

Materials

• Oils

Medicinal, pharmaceutical

• Source of medicine/pharmaceutical
• Traditional/folklore

Woodware

• Tool handles

Rhus copallina (dwarf sumac) is similar in appearance to R. typhina, except its stems have raised dots and its leaflets have smooth edges. Rhus glabra (smooth sumac) can be distinguished from staghorn sumac by the lack of hairs on its stems and petioles. Naturally occurring crosses between staghorn and smooth sumac result in hybrid offspring with characteristics intermediate between those of both parents. Characteristics of Toxicodendron vernix (poison sumac), which causes dermatitis in sensitive individuals, distinguishing it from R. typhina are white hairless fruit, hairless stems, and smooth-edged leaves. Leaves of Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven) are also compound, but their leaflets have one to two teeth located near the base compared to R. typhina leaflets that have numerous teeth all around the edge.

Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.

Mechanical Control

Small populations can be kept under control by conducting prescribed burns every 3 to 4 years. Spring burns are conducted to stimulate herbaceous vegetation. Double-cutting at ground level (once in July and once in August) is another control strategy. Cutting may need to be repeated for several consecutive years to effectively control dense populations. Sumac will re-sprout after each cutting, but dense vegetation may prevent sumac from receiving enough sunlight, causing the leaves to turn yellow and eventually die.

Chemical Control

During July and August a 20% concentration of glyphosate can be applied to freshly cut stumps. Oil-based triclopyr can be applied as directed on the label to the entire circumference of each stem of the clone; no cutting is carried out. Foliar application of water-based triclopyr as directed on the label or 1-2% solution of glyphosate can be applied in areas with little or no native vegetation. Another control measure is 41% amiton at 0.3 ml/m² during July and August (Wu et al., 2007).

15/07/09 Original text by:

Gao Ming Jiang, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China

Guangmei Wang, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

Jingcheng Yang, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Biosciences, China