Rhus microphylla  Littleleaf Sumac
DECIDUOUS SHRUB or SMALL TREE.  A dense, twiggy, thornless shrub identified by its tiny leaves, less than 4 cm long.  Leaves are alternate, bright green, shiny, pinnate, with 7-9 pointed oval leaflets.  Leaf axis is distinctly winged.  Clusters of white flowers bloom in March-April as the leaves appear.  Fruits are less than 1 cm in diameter, fuzzy, bright red when ripe (slightly underripe fruit shown above).  Leaves turn bright red before falling in mid-October.  Common in the Empires in grassland thickets and along washes.
FAMILY:  Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)