Skunkbush is a member of the Cashew or
Sumac
Family. It
is a shrub that
can
grow to 10 feet
in
height. Leaves are dark green and composed of 3 lobed leaflets which grows to
1.25 inches in length. The
plant grows in canyons, ravines and disturbed areas at elevations between
3000-8000 feet.
Skunkbush gets its name from the
fact that the leaves emit a strong odor when crushed.
Skunkbush blooms between March and June and produces
yellow flowers to 0.75 inches in width that grow in dense clusters on
a spike. Flowers are followed by a cluster of sticky, bright
orange-red berries.
In the fall, the abundant red berries of the Skunkbush
were gathered by Indians, dried, ground and mixed with water and sugar
to make jam.