Native fragrant sumac spotted thriving at Ohio hospital helipad
iNaturalist: rainy_qarsherskiyan
Native Plants
Fragrant sumac is a tough, deer-resistant native shrub that gardeners can plant along foundations or slopes for fall color and pollinator support, and seeing it thrive in a paved, high-traffic hospital lot shows just how adaptable it is to tough urban spots.
Someone out and about in Springfield, Ohio spotted a fragrant sumac shrub near a hospital helipad and logged it on iNaturalist, where other naturalists confirmed the identification. It's a small thing, but these citizen reports build up a map of where native plants are actually growing, which helps researchers and gardeners alike understand what thrives in tough urban conditions.
Key Findings
Observation was verified as 'research-grade' on iNaturalist, meaning the community confirmed the species identification
Location: W5HJ+FX Helipad at Mercy Health, Springfield, OH 45504
Species identified: fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), a native North American shrub
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist confirmed a healthy fragrant sumac shrub growing on hospital grounds in Springfield, Ohio, adding a verified data point to public records of this native plant's range.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) observed in W5HJ+FX Helipad - Mercy Health, Springfield, OH 45504, USA
Research-grade observation of fragrant sumac in W5HJ+FX Helipad - Mercy Health, Springfield, OH 45504, USA.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Rhus aromatica, commonly known as fragrant sumac, smooth sumac, aromatic sumac, lemon sumac, skunk bush, polecat bush, polecat sumac, or simply sumac, is a deciduous shrub in the family Anacardiaceae native to North America. It is native to southern and eastern Canada, most of the contiguous Unit...