Rhus microphylla, Littleleaf Sumac, Southwest Desert Flora

Rhus microphylla, Littleleaf Sumac

Littleleaf Sumac blooms from March to May with white and green flowers and reddish-orange fruits. Rhus microphylla

Littleleaf Sumac, Desert Sumac or Scrub Sumac is a native shrub or small tree that grows up to 15 feet or so and prefers elevations from 1,000 to 6,500 across its southwestern United States range. Rhus microphylla

Littleleaf Sumac has dull green leaves, some leathery and some shiny, leaves are deciduous about 1 ½ inches long, and pinnately-compound with 5 to 9 leaflets. Rhus microphylla

Littleleaf Sumac is one of 7 species of Rhus in the southwestern United States. Plants prefer washes, canyons, arroyos, dry mesas and slopes and scrubby uplands. Rhus microphylla

Scientific Name: Rhus microphylla
Common Name: Littleleaf Sumac

Also Called: Desert Sumac, Littleleaf Desert Sumac, Littleleaf Sumac, Scrub Sumac, (Spanish: Lima de la Sierra, Limilla de la Sierra, Agrillo, Saladito, Sidra (both generic), Agritos, Correosa)

Family: Anacardiaceae, Sumac Family

Synonyms: ()

Status: Native

Duration: Perennial

Size: Up to 15 feet (4.5 m) or so.

Growth Form: Shrub, small tree; multiple crooked branches, intricately branched; spinescent twigs; bark dark gray to black, smooth and later becoming scaly.

Leaves: Green, dull green, leathery or not, shiny or not; pilose, sessile; deciduous; leaves about 1 ½ inches (3.81 cm)long; pinnately-compound, 5 to 9 leaflets; flowers appear before the leaves.

Flower Color: White, green; dioecious, unisexual; flowers axillary and terminal clusters; fruit is a drupe, reddish-orange in color.

Flowering Season: March to May.

Elevation: 1,000 to 6,500 feet (3-1,980 m) across its range.

Habitat Preferences: Washes, canyons, arroyos, dry mesas and slopes, scrubby uplands; prefers sandstone, limestone and granitic parent materials.

Recorded Range: Littleleaf Sumac is found in the southwestern United States in AZ, NM, OK, TX. Although it occurs in both the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, given its geographic distribution it could be considered more of a Chihuahuan Desert species. It is also native to Mexico.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Rhus microphylla.

U.S. Weed Information: No information available.
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No information available.
Wetland Indicator: No information available.
Threatened/Endangered Information: No information available.

Genus Information: In North America there are 18 for Rhus. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 131 accepted species names and a further 96 scientific names of infraspecific rank for genus Rhus. The genus Rhus was published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

In the Southwestern United States: Arizona and Texas each have 7 species of genus, California has 5 species, Nevada has 2 species, New Mexico has 5 species and Utah has 3 species. All data approximate and subject to revision.

Comments: Littleleaf Sumac is found in the southwestern United States in AZ, NM, OK, TX. Although it occurs in both the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, given its geographic distribution it could be considered more of a Chihuahuan Desert species. It is also native to Mexico.

In Southwest Desert Flora also see; Kearney's Sumac, Rhus kearneyi, Sugar Sumac, Rhus ovata and Skunkbush Sumac, Rhus trilobata var. trilobata and Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra.

Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock In Texas and New Mexico Mule Deer and Pronghorn browse the leaves. The fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals. In dense stands, Littleleaf Sumac provides cover for deer. Littleleaf Sumac is eaten by livestock but is of poor quality.

Special Value to Native Bees, Butterflies and Insects Several varieties of butterflies and moths regularly visit member of the genus Rhus. It is likely Rhus microphylla is included - Find out more from Butterflies and Moths of North America. and from the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Etymology: The genus Rhus is from the ancient Greek name for Sumac "rhous". The genus Rhus was published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
The species epithet "microphyll" means small-leaved, thus the species name "microphylla"

Rhus microphylla has been used for food by southwestern United States indigenous peoples.

Apache Food, Fruit, Fruits eaten for food.

Apache, Chiricahua & Mescalero Food, Preserves, Dried fruits ground, pulp mixed with water and sugar and cooked to make jam.

See complete listing of ethno-botanical uses at Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn.