Rhus trilobata
 
Skunkbush

Perfect Flower Side (Sepal)

Hidden Valley Nature Area
East of Craven in the Qu'Appelle Valley
05-May-07

This species is polygamodioecious, meaning that there are perfect (bisexual) and male flowers on some plants, and perfect and female flowers on others.

Trilobata: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF) and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this species. 

large shrubs, 1-2 m high; NOT [low shrubs]

plant much branched; NOT [plant with a single stem]

leaflets not over 3 cm long; NOT [leaflets 3-10 cm long]

flowering before leaves appear; NOT [leafing before flowering]

fruit red; NOT [fruit white]

fruit hairy; NOT [fruit smooth]

 

Anacardiaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 

shrubs or trees; NOT [herbs]

plants NOT climbing

plants with normal leaves

leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite]

leaves compound; NOT [leaves simple]

leaflets NOT leathery

leaflets NOT spinose-tipped

flowers dioecious or perfect; NOT [flowers perfect]

flowers with two floral rings, and with each petal distinct from the others

petals 5; NOT [petal (standard) solitary]

stamens 5; NOT [stamens numerous]

fruit NOT a legume