Leaflets are narrowed or rounded at the base and sharply pointed at the tip with finely serrated edges. If you do not have staghorn sumac in your area, you might have one of these other rhuses which might be worth investigating. Sumac, Rhus Juice, Quallah: Good Drink Sumacs look edible and toxic at the same time, and with good reason: They’re in a family that has plants we eat and plants that can make you ill. Sumac, poison ivy, Brazilian pepper, cashews, mangoes and pistachios are all related. Tiger Eyes® Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’) is among the group of plants that elicit a strong reaction from gardeners; they either love it or they hate it.There is no middle ground. If they are really staghorn sumac, the berries will have a pleasant lemony flavour. It is a species of prairies and other grasslands, old fields, roadsides, savannas and woodlands, and fencerows. Another common wildlife food genus, related to sumac. Here are some of my favourite recipes using sumac. Place into a … October 2, 2014 by Hilda 24 Comments. Uses For Sumac Berries. There are many varieties of edible sumac around the world. The berries, which ripen in late summer and fall are a deep red which makes it stand out. This is especially true if your skin is sensitive and comes in contact with sumac. Branches display U-shaped leaf scars in winter. Identification, health, This is Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). I’ve never known what sumac was, and I don’t know how prevalent it is in Australia. All edible sumacs have red, rough-textured ones. What I tried is called staghorn sumac, which is native to NA, but has been taken to some other parts of the world. Staghorn sumac, also called vinegar sumac, is a short tree that grows in a roundish shape. Used as a spice throughout the Middle East, Sumac berries makes a pleasent, lemon-flavored tea that's rich in Tannic Acid. Here are some of the ways people around the world use it, plus some instructions for harvesting, drying, and using it in a recipe! The difference between edible staghorn berries and poisonous ones is easy to distinguish. Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) ... hairless and hang in loose, grape-like clusters – quite unlike the berries of the edible sumacs. I am a backyard forager who likes to share recipes using the wild edibles of our area. It can grow in slightly acid soil but will not do as well as those in fertile areas. For some really good illustrations of the poison variety, visit this site. The fruiting head is a compact cluster of round, red, hairy fruits called drupes. I have tons of staghorn sumac. Each drupe measures about 5mm (1/4”) in diameter and contains one seed. Strain the liquid through a cloth to remove any of the little hairs. Toxicodendron (the Poison ivy, Poison oak, Poison sumac family.) The leaves of poison sumac differ in being hairless and shiny with smooth margins. It is found from New England south to Georgia west to Michigan, Iowa, Missouri and Mississippi. There are 250 geniuses of Sumac which can grow anywhere from four to 35 feet in size. If there are no posts over the next few days! A very sour flavour, they are used in pies. Staghorn Sumac: Is it Really Edible? Sumac was used in drinks in the colonial United States, giving rise to the tradition of “pink lemonade”. Here are the four key items to look for in order to positively identify staghorn and smooth sumac (taken from my previous article): Compound Toothed Leaves: Both species have pinnately compound leaves with serrated edges. ( Log Out /  Staghorn sumac. The ripe fruit can be used in baking but the tiny black seeds are very hard and can be problematic for the teeth if chewed on. What most commonly grows across North America is a close cousin in the sumac family, rhus typhina or more commonly called Staghorn Sumac. Sumac species tend to be regional. Staghorn sumac grows in an open form that can grow up to 7 metres (25') tall and can be as equally wide. Poison sumac and staghorn sumac belong to the same family: Anacardiaceae. Staghorn sumac has been called the vinegar tree and the lemonade tree as its juice can be used as a substitute for vinegar or lemon juice. div align=”center”>. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). Each flower is about 5mm (1/4") across, consisting of 5 spreading petals, a calyx with 5 lobes, 5 stamens, and a central pistil. Staghorn sumac is found throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. Backyard forager who likes to share then it doesn ’ t mind if had. One of my favourite recipes to give away love sumac dried but have never it. 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