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tahota

Staghorn Sumac, Just an FYI it spreads with underground runners. Not necessarily a bad thing but not necessarily a good thing either if you don't want it popping up elsewhere. It is a popular seasoning in Afghanistan and some other countries in the middle east. The fall colors are fantastic! Shades of bright yellow, orange, and red all mixed together.


lilshadygrove

Thank you!


SomeDumbGamer

You can mow the runners when they’re young so it shouldn’t be too bad a problem


dfw_runner

How did it become popular in the the Stans as a spice? It’s native to North America and not generally used as spice here. I know people would make tea from the berries. We would lick them as kids.


wasteabuse

A related species, Rhus coriaria, is native to West Asia and the Mediterranean basin, and is popular in middle eastern cooking. The North American sumacs have a similar lemony flavor though and are known by foragers and from some indigenous recipes as a seasoning or flavoring ingredient. 


dfw_runner

Thanks!


2trade1

Also makes a nice drink. Soak ripe seedheads in water overnight in the fridge. Then run through a coffee filter to remove the hairs and sweeten to your liking. Sumacade! Warning: it's tart!


Theoglaphore

Also, you can dry it and run it through food processor. The part you want is a thin coating on the outside of the seeds, so use a seive to eperate. The dark red powder can be used in anything you want to add sour too. It is very popular in middle-eastern cooking.


2trade1

Awesome info! Thank you for sharing!


McBernes

Also, if you are a woodworker or know one, the wood flouresces under uv light. I'm dying to cultivate some of this. It's my kind of plant, edible parts nice looking and interesting wood.


neverenoughmags

Come visit me... I've got plenty you can have for free... It's like friggin' weed in PA...


tahota

Same here in WA


neverenoughmags

I absolutely hate the stuff ... Grows out of every nook and cranny...


Semi-Loyal

It has absolutely spectacular in the fall. If I had the room, I'd absolutely plant it.


5daysinmay

I started with one when I bought my house and it just keeps multiplying. If it’s in a good spot, I let it grow. If it’s the middle of my lawn, I cut it with a lawnmower. My biggest one provides some shade on my deck but has been struggling and I’m so sad to see it not doing well. I love these so much.


A_Lountvink

Rhus typhina - [native to the Northeast and adjacent parts of Canada](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rhus_typhina_range_map_4.png). It's great for wildlife.


tahota

These are very short lived. That is why they send out so many suckers. Usually you just let some of the other suckers take over for shade. They will fill in the place of the original plant very quickly.