The Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina, is the most well-known sumac. Its branches resemble deer antlers. Staghorn sumac reaches 25 feet in height at maturity with an equal spread. It is not as tolerant of poorly drained soils as other sumacs. The large dark crimson - or rarely orange to yellow - pinnate leaves of this sumac have 15-31 narrow, leaflets that can be up to (6") long. The stems and fruits of Staghorn Sumac are densely hairy, as in the "velvet stage" of a stag's antlers.
These colorful, nonpoisonous shrubs or small trees are rhizomatous. The large clumps form bright splashes of color along forest margins, road banks, and fencerows and in old fields over much of the Appalachians.