Park update: From 7am – 3:30pm on Monday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 19, the High Line will be partially closed between 23rd and 30th Streets due to construction. Visitors can enter and exit at the 23rd Street stair/elevator and the 30th/10th Street stair. The entrances from Hudson Yards, the Connector, and the Spur remain open.

Skip to content
Express to
your inbox

Sign up for the High Line newsletter for the latest updates, stories, events & more.

Loading...
Please enter a valid email address!
Thanks for signing up, we'll be in touch soon!

Featured Plant: Staghorn Sumac

By High Line Gardens | September 16, 2021

Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac, is a small colonizing tree native to eastern North America. It is in the family Anacardiaceae, which includes cashews, pistachios, and poison ivy.

Staghorn sumac is part of our medicinal plants celebration this September. We invite you to participate by joining a tour and downloading our medicinal plant guide.

While autumn is usually the prime season to highlight sumac species, staghorn sumac is striking in winter, and easily identified by its antler-like structure, persistent burgundy seed heads, and dense, velvety reddish-brown hairs which cover the branches of the previous two years’ growth. Botanist Carl Linnaeus described this species as one with “rough branches like antlers in velvet.” Thus, its common name.

The fruit of this tree can be steeped in cold water to make a delicious pink lemonade-like beverage. The roots, inner bark and leaves make an excellent natural dye. Beekeepers sometimes use the dried flowers as a fuel source for their hive smokers.

WHERE TO FIND THIS PLANT 
On the High Line between 14th and 15th streets, at the Hudson River Overlook, and at the 34th Street Entry Plaza

Our horticultural team counts on members and friends like you to help keep the High Line beautiful and thriving. Join our community of supporters who play an essential role in the High Line’s most important gardening projects.

Become a High Line Member

TD Bank is the Presenting Green Sponsor of the High Line.

Categories:
Donate today

The High Line is almost entirely supported by people like you. As a nonprofit organization, we need your support to keep this public space free—and extraordinary—for everyone.