Rhus typhina Stag's-horn Sumach

A deciduous shrub with pinnate leaves, which suckers extensively when established and can grow up to 10m tall. It is a native to midwestern and eastern  North America but is widely grown in gardens and parks throughout the world. Some people know it as the 'Tree of Paradise. It has been grown in gardens in Britain for decades and was first recorded as an escape here in 1966. The fruits are used for the preparation of soft drinks like lemonade, which may have some beneficial health effects. Sumachs contain lots of interesting phytochemicals, some of which are potent antioxidants. Some parts of the plant have also been used for treating asthma, bacterial diseases, inflammation and bacterial infections. There are also reports that polyphenols from the bark of some sumachs exhibit antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Bark extracts contain flavonoids which have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. It doesn't appear to set seed in Britain but may persist by suckering as a garden relic.

Neophyte