But did you know just how primitive-looking the staghorn sumac is? The “bobs” are quite large and imposing. In the winter, long after all greenery has disappeared, the plant slices up toward the sky with dark, blood-colored bobs that can reach as high as 16 feet. They look like huge and dangerous spears that have already met their intended victim and are looking around for a little more fun. They cause a bizarre repulsion in me that I have never been able to shake, and touching them makes me grow weak in the knees.
It is no surprise, then, that the fairies use this plant
extensively. Where you find sumac, you
will find fairies. You will know you are
getting closer to something important to them because you will see more and
more dangerous-looking sumac bobs. They
put them there on purpose to frighten off the unsuspecting traveler, and anyone
who has seen a large stand of these bobs knows just how frightening they can be. That, of course, is the idea. The fairies are masters at visual intimidation.
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| Staghorn sumac bobs. |
So when you find the sumac, you are on the right track,
assuming of course that you are even looking for fairies. And if you ARE looking for them, you had
better bring your own spear because I am not entirely certain that all of that
blood-red color is due to the plant alone.
Remember that fairies have their own set of rules, which do not always
(or often) coincide with ours.
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(The staghorn sumac [Rhus typhina] is beginning to
ripen. This grows everywhere in Maine and is quite
invasive. The ripe fruit, or “bob” as it
is called, was traditionally used as a natural dye. The entire plant contains a considerable
amount of tannin and can also be used as a mordant. It is quite convenient that a plant would
supply its own mordant along with a dye.)
