Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Plants of Cedar Creek

Representing the Sumac Family are four species of Rhus. (R. radicans var. rydbergii) (Poison Ivy) is common in many of the oak woodland and savanna areas, and in some shady old field margins.  This variety does not develop into a vine like the eastern US var. negundo.  Be cautious in spring and winter and learn to recognize the short woody shoots---easy if the whitish-yellow fruits are present.  Poison sumac, R. vernix, is common in among tamaracks and alders in peaty wetlands, especially in the Cedar Bog lake area and near some portions of the creek   The sumacs, R. glabra (Smooth Sumac) and R. typhina (Staghorn Sumac) occur in old fields and savannas at woods edges. Smooth Sumac is the more common of the two.