It is not as tolerant of poorly drained soils as other sumacs. Two cultivars of this sumac, 'Laciniata' and 'Dissecta,' have heavily divided leaflets, giving the foliage a fernlike appearance. Both cultivars are female plants that have good fall color. This sumac is a low-growing shrub, reaching 5 to 6 feet in height at maturity with an equal spread. Its foliage is dark green and glossy.
Fragrant sumac has bright-yellow flowers in the spring.
It is similar to staghorn sumac and has good fall color. In the South, it can reach 30 feet in height, becoming spreading and irregular with age. Branching on older plants is very interesting. This sumac forms large, spreading colonies and should not be used on small sites. It has carmine fall color.