What’s that out in the woods?

Farmer Gary is so patient with my ignorance of all things nature.

“Sumac,” he replied. “It’s a shrub.”

The leaves were orange last week. Now they’re red.

Mom had something to say about sumac back in 2005:

What Red

What red returns in Autumn
in sumac dogwoods the sugar maples

We follow it
in hills and hollows
the ponds reflecting

The color calls
in days alive and ready
in this reign of red

~ joan vayo ~ 25 October 2005

Gary went on to tell me that, after soaking to remove toxic tannins, sumac can be used to make a tea or even a pink-lemonade-esque beverage. Some cultures use it as a spice in their recipes. Also, as a dye.

My ears perked up at the word “toxic.” Who in the world experimented with a shrub in the woods to test whether it was poisonous – and then lived to tell about it? They’re made of sterner stuff than I!

I’ve since learned there’s also poison sumac. It’s even scarier than regular sumac. If you burn off any that’s on your property, don’t inhale the smoke. Or rub your eyes after touching the leaves. I’m getting hives just thinking about it …

It sure is pretty, though.

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“What Red” ©2005 Joan Vayo. All rights reserved.

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