How to Identify S.C. Understory Shrubs

Recognize fragrant sumac by its velvety twigs and yellow catkin-like flowers. The small- to medium-sized understory shrub produces small dark red berries and has glossy leaves that change color in the fall. They can become red, orange, yellow and purple.

Look for iridescent fruit clusters that are similar to grape bunches. This is American beauty-berry. It's 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. The foliage is yellowish-green in color, but the most distinctive feature is the berry clusters in fall and winter. Small, pink flowers also grow at the bottom of the leaves.

Notice a deciduous understory shrub with thin, oblong leaves. This is northern spicebush. The leaves are 5 1/2 inches long with light green undersides. Small pale yellow flowers grow before the leaves appear. You'll find more than one northern spicebush in an area because they grow in groups. If you're not sure whether the plant is spicebush, crush the leaves. There should be a lemony fragrance.

See bright yellow blooms and you will find the understory shrub St. Johnswort. The small deciduous shrub is common in South Carolina. It has red to purple bark and dark green to blue green leaves that turn yellowish in autumn.

Identify Atlantic ninebark by its arching branches and continuous fruit pods. The fast-grower has foliage that turns yellow in the fall. The tree is 3 to 10 feet high.

Distinguish white, flat-topped clusters of blooms as Downy arrowwood. The plant grows dark blue berries in place of the flowers. With many straight stems growing in a loose form, Downy arrowwood can be about 6 feet tall. In the fall, the understory shrub turns bright with color.