Shrub to 2 m (6 ft) tall. Leaves alternate, trifoliate. Leaflets glabrous, variable in size and shape, terminal leaflet several-lobed. Flowers in a terminal compound spike, small, whitish to yellow, appearing before leaves. Fruits red, sparsely long-hairy, about 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter.
Distribution: Native to the western Great Plains.
Habitat: Usually mesas and high plains.
Comment: This species closely resembles R. aromatica and is often treated as a variety of aromatica. Many of the eastern locations in the range map below are probably in error as a result of misidentification of other varieties of R. aromatica. Rhus is the ancient Latin name; trilobata refers to the usually three-lobed terminal leaflet.
NWI status: none
Distribution in Oklahoma:
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Last update: 9/17/99
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