black sumac

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black sumac

A hiker pauses to admire a cluster of red berries on a black sumac.

Definition

Noun 1. A common nonpoisonous shrub of eastern North America: This term refers to a specific type of shrub native to the eastern regions of North America. It is characterized by compound leaves, green flowers that grow in panicles (loose, branching clusters), and produces red berries.

Usage Notes
  • "Black sumac" is a compound noun that functions as the common name for a specific plant species. It is typically used in botanical, horticultural, or nature-related contexts.
  • It is important to note that this shrub is described as nonpoisonous, distinguishing it from other sumac species that can cause skin irritation.
Examples
  • The forest edge was dotted with black sumac, its red berries bright against the green leaves.
  • Unlike poison sumac, black sumac is safe to touch and its berries are a food source for birds.
  • We identified several native plants, including black sumac and sassafras.
Advanced Usage
  • The term is used precisely in scientific or descriptive writing to specify this particular shrub. In casual conversation, it might simply be called "sumac," though this can be ambiguous.
Variants and Related Words
  • Smooth sumac (): This is a synonym and the more precise botanical name for the plant commonly called black sumac. "Smooth sumac" refers to the same species.
  • Sumac (noun): The general name for shrubs and small trees of the genus . This is the broader category to which black sumac belongs.
  • Poison sumac (): A related but distinct plant that is highly irritating to the skin, often contrasted with the nonpoisonous black sumac.
Synonyms
  • Smooth sumac
  • (scientific name)
  • Scarlet sumac (another common name referring to the berry color)
Different Meanings
  • The word "black" as a separate adjective typically describes the darkest color, like coal. In the compound "black sumac," it is part of the fixed common name for the plant and does not necessarily describe its color, which is more noted for green leaves and red berries.
  • The word "sumac" alone can refer to any plant in the or genus, making context important for clarity.
black sumac

A hiker pauses to admire a cluster of red berries on a black sumac.

Noun
  1. common nonpoisonous shrub of eastern North America with compound leaves and green paniculate flowers followed by red berries

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