Sumac (plant)

Sumac (plant)

Sumac (Rhus) is a genus of approximately 250 species of shrubs and small trees from the wig tree family (Anacardiaceae).

The botanical name is Rhus derived from the Greek word for sumac "rhous.

The leaves are spirally arranged. They are usually pinnate, although some types of triple or simple leaves.

The flowers are in dense (false) ranked match. Each flower spike is 5-30 cm long. The flower is very small, creamy white, green or red and consists of five petals. The fruits form dense groups of red stone fruit.

The genus is found in subtropical and warm regions worldwide, with the greatest diversity in southern Africa.
[Edit] Cultivation and uses

The flesh of the stone fruit is dried and finely ground powder as a spice in some countries in the Middle Eastern countries. It has a fresh, tart taste, this spice in the Netherlands under the name sour herb sold. In North America, Rhus glabra and Rhus typhina sometimes used to drink to make "sumac-ade" or "Indian lemonade" or "rhus juice" is mentioned. This drink is made by the stone fruit in cold water for watering, this by pouring a cotton cloth and sweetening.

Indians use the leaves and berries of the two trees together with tobacco in traditional tobacco blends.