Native deciduous shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall with straight stems coming up from the ground and spreading by roots.

Small yellow blooms in spring followed by red "sour" berries in summer attract wildlife. Edible berries used by Native peoples to make a 'lemonade' drink and eaten with the addition of salt. They use the stems for baby cradle boards and basketry. Crushed leaves are more pungent (more skunklike), less fragrant, than those of Rhus aromatica.

Nice fall color, drought tolerant. Plant in full sun or light shade. Favors slopes and washes. Will grow to 4000 ft elevation. 

Formerly considered its own species (Rhus trilobata),  scientific sources now more commonly refer to it as Rhus aromatica var. trilobata.