Staghorn Sumac

Staghorn Sumac

Rhus typhina, Rhus hirta, Rhus glabrum

baakwaanaatig (Baraga: bakwanatig 'vinegar-tree' ; Rhodes: baakwaanaatig; Smith: bakwana' tig, bakwa' natig, bakwana 'tig)
baakwaanimizh (Rhodes: baakwaanmizh)
gookooko'oo-milnan

Staghorn sumac is found on clearings, hill­ sides and along roadsides, usually in dry areas on the edges of woods. It is a clonal shrub that grows in tell-tale clumps. The leaves of this species are compound with 8 to 20 leaflets per leaf. When the leaves turn color, the clones form bright red "beacons" in early fall.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
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There are several species of Sumach and care should be taken in their identification as some are poisonous. Non-poisonous can be distinguished by colour of berries in cone-shaped bunches. The leaves are alternate, six to fifteen lanceollate, acuminate, shining and green above, whitish beneath, turning red in autumn When the leaves or limbs are cut or broken, a milky juice exudes. Flower June to July, fruit matures in September to October. gather before rain washes away the acid properties which reside in their external downy efflorescence.
(Indian Herbalogy of North America)
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Used to treat coughs and sore throats. The tree is closely related to poison ivy. There are hundreds of species of sumach in the world. The non-poisonous kinds have fruit covered with acid, crimson hairs, panicles are compound, dense and terminal. Poisonous kinds have smooth fruit and axillary panicles.
(Mi'kmaq Medicines and Recollections)
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Poison sumac grows in swamps and bogs, while staghorn grows in dry sandy places on hills, along roadsides. Poison sumac has smooth, hairless twigs and buds, while the staghorn is covered with a light downy fuzz, reminiscent of the fuzz that covers a stags new antlers in the spring. Posion sumac has dirty-white-coloured berries in spreading and drooping stalks, staghorn has dark wine-red berries that grow in a tight clump at the end of branches. Not easily confused.
(Plants have so much to give us, all we have to do is ask)
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The fruits are also red when ripe in the fall, and were crushed and drunk in a tea. Traditionally, the roots of staghorn sumac were used as a medicine to stop hemorrhaging.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
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Crushed fruit makes a refreshing drink, dried berries can be used in winter. Poultice of bruised leaves and fruit for skin diseases. Tea is cleansing to the system and Sumach berries with Blueberry are effective in diabetes. A syrup can be made with the berries, cover them with boiling water, steep for 1 hr, strain, add honey, boil into a syrup and bottle for future use.
(Indian Herbalogy of North America)
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Mi'kmaq used sumach to treat earaches. Parts of the tree would be steeped in water, and the cooled liquid applied in the ear. Can cause skin rashes in some people.
(Mi'kmaq Medicines and Recollections)
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Pick the staghorn berry clusters on dry days, not after rain. This avoids mold and once dried they can be kept all winter. And rain reduces the valuable acids on the berries. For a refreshing drink, rush a clump or two of berries and either pour boiling water over them or put them in cool water and set in the sun to make sun tea. Filter the tea through cheese cloth or fine strainer to remove fine hairs that grow on the berries. Served with honey it is good for a sore throat. Pulp form the interior of the stem makes a good yellow dye for paper and porcupine quills.
(Plants have so much to give us, all we have to do is ask)

Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993