Unsung Heroes

Chris Mousseau

Much is said and written about maple tree leaves turning various shades of red, orange and yellow in the fall and I, being a proud Canadian, of course agree with how spectacular that looks. One of the best things about autumn in the Great White North. But I’ve come to appreciate two additional, smaller plants for their equally distinctive fall foliage: Viburnum and Sumac. Both have many species, both could be considered shrubs or small trees (depending on species), both have some species native to Ontario, both look fabulous this time of year either individually, as a splash of red, or naturally massed, as in the large Staghorn Sumac mounds or hedges you see along the roads here.

I like to get up close and personal with them in my yard.

Shasta Viburnum – Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Shasta’
Staghorn Sumac leaf – Rhus typhina
Sumac leaf and flower – birds love the seeds, good for tea, apparently, and dye.

18 Comments

  1. Beautiful, vibrant photos, Chris! Definitely shows how much you admire these colors. Staghorn tea…I wonder if they have that at our local ‘Good Health’ store…I’m going to look for Sorrel tea as well.

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  2. I love sumacs — partly because they’re one of our dependable sources of autumn color. Beyond that, once the leaves have dropped, the fruits still are attractive and interesting. Also: one of my favorite spices, Za’atar, comes from the Middle East and typically contains sumac along with sesame seeds, marjoram, salt and thyme or oregano. Ground sumac (from the berries) sometimes is used as a finishing touch. It’s great in hummus.

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    1. I’ve not heard of Za’atar – it sounds wonderful! I love how sumac just appears where it wants, and forms mounds, like green leafy low hills rising from the earth, or hedges, which I have along the road. It’s a great barrier (along with the taller buckthorn, behind it) during tourist season here.

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    1. It’s hard to forget Virginia Creeper around here although it gets stiff competition, climbing vine wise, from wild grape, which is also all over everything, but without the gorgeous burgundy and red fall foliage.

      I love the name, especially the ‘quinquefolia’ bit – just rolls off the tongue…

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