Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra L.

Family: Anacardiaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not stated by our sources (not a clearance). Detail: no skin-contact or poison statement

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA has no page for Rhus glabra. Do not treat as pet-safe.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Rhus glabra L. (Iowa State, Utah State, the Wildflower Center, the Red Deer list and Kew WCVP agree), not on the common name.. Sumac (Rhus) shares its common name with other plants in the sumac family. No source compares smooth sumac with poison sumac or other look-alikes, so identify by botanical name, Rhus glabra, and do not assume a "sumac" is harmless.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: zones 2-9 per Iowa State; Utah State: extremely cold hardy; Red Deer lists it among plants of hardiness zone 3 or below (list-wide qualifier, not a plant-specific statement)
Light: Full sun preferred; part shade tolerated (Iowa State, Utah State); sun to shade (Wildflower Center, Red Deer).
Water needs: low low is a plain-language reading: Utah State says drought tolerant, avoid keeping too wet; Wildflower Center water use low, soil moisture dry; Iowa State prefers moist well-drained soil but tolerates dry sites; Red Deer dry to average. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: Iowa State: 10-20 ft tall and 20-25 ft wide; Utah State: 10 ft by 10 ft (cultivar 'Cismontana' about 6 ft by 6 ft); Wildflower Center: up to about 20 ft tall

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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