Shining Sumac (Rhus copallinum) is in the Cashew Family family (Anacardiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,047 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Shining Sumac: observations by month (U.S.)
About Shining Sumac
Rhus copallinum, the winged sumac, shining sumac, dwarf sumac or flameleaf sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) that is native to eastern North America. It is a deciduous tree growing to 3.5–5.5 metres (11–18 ft) tall and an equal spread with a rounded crown. A 5-year-old sapling will stand about 2.5 metres (8.2 ft). The name Rhus copallina is also used, but this is not consistent with the rules of the International...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Shining Sumac by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 122 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Alabama | 108 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Virginia | 78 | August | Aug–Aug |
| New York | 59 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 58 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Florida | 54 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maryland | 54 | August | Jul–Aug |
| New Jersey | 52 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Georgia | 45 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Mississippi | 44 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Missouri | 35 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Tennessee | 35 | July | Jul–Aug |
| South Carolina | 33 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Texas | 30 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 30 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Arkansas | 25 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Connecticut | 23 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Indiana | 23 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 22 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 19 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Ohio | 15 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Rhode Island | 12 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Delaware | 10 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Illinois | 10 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Louisiana | 8 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 8 | August | Aug–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 5 | August | Jul–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Cashew Family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Shining Sumac?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to August.
Where is Shining Sumac most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia.