Native to southwestern U.S. and Mexico.  Foliage is dark green in summer turning to rich red, crimson, and scarlet in autumn.  Leaves are alternate, compound, pinnate, 9 to 21 leaflets, oblong-ovate to lance-ovate, 1 3/4" to 4" long.  Desert sumac is compact and dense in youth becoming more open with age.  With ascending and spreading branches, it has irregular shape and is picturesque.