Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) has 6 to 10 inch clusters of RED berries that are used to make a very delicious drink called Indian lemonade.
Staghorn Sumach grows up to 30 feet tall, it has alternate compound leaves that each have 9 to 31 leaflets with saw tooth edges. The stems are densely covered in rust-colored hairs.
To make Indian Lemonade, all you have to do is gather 2 to 4 berry clusters and soak them in cold water. Slightly crushing them with your hand will help them to soak into the water faster.
Strain, chill, then drink this delicious natural drink all summer long. It is much better for you than just about anything you can buy in the store.
Native Americans also used the leaves of Staghorn Sumac along with other plants in traditional smoking mixtures or tobacco’s.
Safety Notice: Notice how the photographs of Staghorn Sumac (above) are very different than the poison sumac. Poison Sumac Photos – Click Here
“If you enjoy wild edible plants as much as I do, click on the link download Carol Wingert’s 27 Easy Edible Plants Book – It is just $5, and is designed to help you easily learn 27 of the most common edible plants in the United States. Get it today!”
Hope to see you soon on one of our Weekend Events!
Mr Twenty Twenty
Just a quick reminder, this weekend we are having a 60 minute Edible / Medicinal Plant walk starting by the historic log cabin at 12:00 Noon on Sunday.
Bring a smile, and a notebook. A $10 donation is requested. Thanks!
Here is an article that has early twigs of Staghorn Sumac and Tree Of Heaven.
http://www.nativeeyes.com/tale-of-two-twigs-sumach-and-tree-of-heaven/
Wiley, my surrogate grandpa, taught me about edible wild plants, and it must have been from him that I learned about this sumac. Anyway as kids –long ago and far away– we used to eat these red berries. (Thank You, Wiley!)