Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) is in the Cashew Family family (Anacardiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,009 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Staghorn Sumac: observations by month (U.S.)
About Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. It is primarily found in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States and the Appalachian Mountains, but is widely cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate world.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Staghorn Sumac by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 183 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 149 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 128 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maine | 81 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Michigan | 81 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Vermont | 69 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Ohio | 43 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 31 | June | May–Jun |
| Connecticut | 30 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 30 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 28 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Minnesota | 26 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 20 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 16 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Indiana | 15 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Jersey | 14 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Rhode Island | 13 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maryland | 12 | June | Jun–Jun |
| North Carolina | 12 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Kentucky | 9 | May | May–Jun |
| Delaware | 7 | June | Jun–Jun |
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 Staghorn Sumac?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Staghorn Sumac most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania.