ETYM French sumac, formerly sumach (cf. Spanish zumaque), from Arabic summâq.
1. A shrub or tree of the genus Rhus (usually limited to the non-poisonous members of the genus); SYN. sumach, shumac.r /> 2. Wood of a sumac.
Any bush or tree of the genus Rhus of the cashew family, having pinnate compound leaves and clusters of small reddish fruits. Staghorn sumac Rhus typhina, growing to 36 ft/11 m tall, is common in North America. Included too are several poisonous plants (sometimes referred to collectively as the genus Toxicodendron), such as poison ivy, poison sumac, and certain Japanese sumacs.