Little-leaf sumac is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 15 feet tall. The leaves are pinnate and distinctively leathery, and shiny, and have tiny leaflets. Before the leaves appear, white flower clusters appear axillary and terminally. The fruit is orange-red. The number of flowers and fruits is usually low. Rose and purple colors dominate the fall foliage.

In addition to being attractive specimens, hedges, or background plants, native sumacs are essential wildlife plants. In addition to their fast growth rate, they are generally free of pests and diseases and drought-tolerant. The colonies are usually single-sexed, formed by suckering from a single parent. Flowers and berries are only produced by female plants.