Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac,[5] is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America.
It is primarily found in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States, and the Appalachian Mountains,[6] but it is widely cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate world.
The Latin specific epithet typhina is explained in Carl Linnaeus and Ericus Torner's description of the plant with the phrase "Ramis hirtis uti typhi cervini", meaning "the branches are rough like antlers in velvet".
The velvety texture and the forking pattern of the branches, reminiscent of antlers, have led to the common name "stag's horn sumac".
Staghorn sumac is an ornamental plant which provides interest throughout the year; though its vigorous, suckering habit makes it unsuitable for smaller gardens.
[8] Some landscapers remove all but the top branches to create a "crown" effect in order to resemble a small palm tree.