Near Dolores in Montezuma County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Skunkbush Sumac
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2025
1. Skunkbush Sumac Marker
The pungent smell of the leaves gives this plant its common name. Ripe red berries make a tart lemon-tasting drink when mixed with water, providing another common name of lemonade-bush.
Sumac branches (K' ii') are used for basketmaking. As sumac is gathered, it is tied with yucca fiber. The twigs are torn into three strips, then the bark is removed. The end of a strip that grew closest to the ground is wound around a small stick and tied with yucca to make the base of the basket. Next, yucca is sewn sunwise, left to right, around the sumac coils.
Clyde Benally, Dinι (Navajo)
Erected by The Colorado Historical Society, the Bureau of Land Management, the Family of Nellie Mulnix Joy and the Frankston Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 37° 28.61′ N, 108° 32.834′ W. Marker is near Dolores, Colorado, in Montezuma County. It can be reached from State Highway 184 at milepost 7, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the Escalante Pueblo Trail at
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Indian Ricegrass (a few steps from this marker); Yucca (within shouting distance of this marker); Gambel Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); A Path Well Traveled (within shouting distance of this marker); Dominguez Pueblo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mountain Mahogany (about 400 feet away); Mesa Verde National Park & Ute Mountain Tribal Park (about 500 feet away); Rabbitbrush (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dolores.
Also see . . . Rhus trilobata (Wikipedia).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2025
2. Skunkbush Sumac Marker
Excerpt: A North American shrub in the sumac genus (Rhus) with the common names skunkbush sumac, sourberry, skunkbush, and three-leaf sumac.(Submitted on December 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The skunkbush sumac has historically been used for medicinal and other purposes. The Zuni people, Navajo, Mono tribe of California, and other tribes in the area use the stems with the bark removed to make baskets. The Uncompahgre Ute name for the berries is mah wup, and the bush is called ece.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2025
3. Skunkbush Sumac
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
