The sumac tree or shrub (grows from 3' - 32') has brilliant red leaves in the fall and, about September, has clusters of deep red berries or drupes called sumac bobs (and, as an aside, The Sumac Bobs might be a good name for a stringband composed of fellas named Robert...). These berries can be dried and crushed into a powder and used as a fragrant spice. I've read that it adds a tart and lemony taste when used with salads or meats. I intend to try this out, eventually.
I also hear that this powder can be used to make a red dye or that the berries/drupes can be soaked in cool water, rubbed to extract the essence and be made into an "Indian lemonade" or "rhus juice" (also a good band name). Or that a tea can be made with it... all of which contains antioxidants and vitamins.
So many uses! And these sumacs grow in abundance all around the farm.
NOT to be confused with poison sumac, which has white drupes, not red.
