Multi-colored Sumac

Finally had a few minutes on the way to work this morning to take a shot or two of this sumac grove I've been admiring for the last few days. The yellow-leafed plants seemed to be doing their own thing, despite all the red ones around it. If anyone (Don?) has a scientific explanation, I would be interested in knowing

Neat shot Bill. I suspect that sumac are like aspen in that they produce related "communities" of plants which transition at different times. If you look at most sweeping landscapes that include large areas of aspen, you'll see the coloration difference that indicates the "family tree" relationship of the individuals.

What Wayne said.

The three rows probably started out as three individual plants and each formed clones sharing the same genetic makeup and reaction to color change. By the way, you have winged sumac, Rhus copallina.

Best,
Don

Thanks Wayne and Don. What is so unusual is that these yellow ones are so far behind. Most of the sumac around here have peaked and are now a dull red color - many have even dropped their leaves...

Hey Bill, nature is never going to fall in line like we want it too. There are always going to be exceptions. I saw a sycamore tree today that was just turning yellow where others have already shed their leaves. I look at it this way, it just extends our photo opportunities.

Best,
Don

Well I just learned something. Thanks for raising the question Bill.

The colors around here are gone. We had some color and then the winds came and the leaves are gone. So much for this fall to get some color shots. Nice shots of the sumac. I've looked at them several times and now I see what I missed by not stopping and shooting. I like the combinations of color in the shot.

Thanks Bill for showing me what I have been missing.

Sumac is soooo sweet. You found a wonderful bunch in great shape.

I love sumac! Great layers and such vibrant colors. I've never seen two different colors together in the same spot like this.