Rhus typhina

Description

A truly amazing plant when young as the thick stems are covered in a reddish-brown velvet coat, very similar to a juvenile stag's horns. It's a very tactile plant but be careful as some people find they have an adverse reaction to it. The leaves are large and palm-like in appearance, being made up of up to 30 lance-shaped leaflets. Bright green in summer they turn a brilliant orange-red in autumn. At the same time the female plants produce dense, upright clusters of hairy, bright red fruits. Height 3m (12ft) if left unpruned.