Alternate name: Sugar Sumac

Family: Anacardiaceae, Cashew view all from this family

Description Evergreen shrub or small tree with rounded crown.
Height: 15' (4.6 m).
Diameter: 5" (13 cm).
Leaves: evergreen; 1 1/2-3 1/4" (4-8 cm) long, 1-2" (2.5-5 cm) wide. Ovate, short-pointed at tip, rounded at base, without teeth, thick and leathery; curved or folded up at midvein; shiny light green on both surfaces.
Bark: gray-brown, rough, shaggy and very scaly.
Twigs: reddish, stout, hairless.
Flowers: 1/4" (6 mm) wide; with 5 rounded, whitish petals, from pink or reddish buds; many crowded in clusters 2" (5 cm) long, at end of twig; in early spring.
Fruit: more than 1/4" (6 mm) in diameter; slightly flattened, red, covered with short, sticky, red hairs, 1-seeded; many in clusters; maturing in summer.

Habitat Dry slopes in chaparral zone.

Range Mountains of central Arizona and S. California including Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina islands south to N. Baja California; from near sea level to 2500' (762 m); in Arizona to 5000' (1524 m).

Discussion Sometimes planted for erosion control and landscaping in mountainous areas, this common species is also an attractive ornamental. The edible fruit with thin pulp is sweet and was used as a sweetener by Indians; however, the large seeds are not eaten. Birds also consume the fruit.