Skunkbush (Rhus Tribolata)

     Skunkbush, also known as "Squaw Bush" or "three-leaf sumac," is a deciduous shrub and grows across the Rocky Mountains. This is another sturdy plant that can survive despite drought conditions, and it likes to grow in areas that are relatively sunny or shady. It is suggested for bird gardens and can grow in sand.

     Some can mistake it for poison oak, but it does not irritate the skin in the same way. The shrub grows berries that are edible. Native Americans would gather these berries and eat them. Some even use them to make tea. The leaves on this shrub change colors in the fall and often turn a beautiful red.

     Although this is not necessarily a flower garden-type plant, it could still provide a beautiful backdrop to showcase your flowers, and its berries can be used to make tea or to put in baked goods. There are both aesthetic and practical uses for this sturdy shrub! Keep a look out for them when you go on your next hike in the Rockies!

Sources:
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/rhus-trilobata

http://herbarium.uvu.edu/Virtual/viewer.asp?file=06408s2.jpg&title=Rhus+aromatica