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Rhus ovata
  • Sugar Bush

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Rhus genus in the family Anacardiaceae.

Rhus ovata.jpg
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Rhus ovata has 4 edible uses listed
Rhus ovata has 3 material uses listed
Rhus ovata has 2 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

There are some suggestions that the sap of this species can cause a skin rash in susceptible people, but this has not been substantiated. See also notes in 'Cultivation Details'.

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. Slightly acid to sweet tasting[2]. The fruit is only 6 - 8mm in diameter[2] with very little flesh, but it is produced in dense racemes and so is easily harvested. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course). The fruit can also be sucked for the tart juice that forms on its surface[3].

A sweetish white sap exudes from the fruit and can be used as an acid flavouring or a sugar substitute[4][3].

The leaves are boiled to make a tea[3].

Unknown part

Drink
Sweetener
Tea

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves are rich in tannin. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[5].

An oil is extracted from the seeds[6]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[6].

Often planted in poor dry soils in America, where its extensive root system helps to prevent erosion[2].

Unknown part

Dye
Mordant
Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of chest pains, coughs and colds[7]. An infusion has also been taken just before giving birth to facilitate an easy delivery[7]. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

Unknown part

Birthing aid
Pectoral

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in hot water (starting at a temperature of 80 - 90c and allowing it to cool) prior to sowing in order to leach out any germination inhibitors[8]. This soak water can be drunk and has a delicious lemon-flavour. The stored seed also needs hot water treatment and can be sown in early spring in a cold frame[8]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[8]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[9][8].

Suckers in late autumn to winter[8].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Rhus ovata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[10][8]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Plants are usually found in poor dry soils in the wild[2].

This species is not very hardy in Britain, it may not succeed outdoors even in the mildest areas of the country[8]. One report says that it can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[11]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[8]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[10]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8]. Many of the species in this genus are highly toxic and can also cause severe irritation to the skin of some people, whilst other species such as this one are not poisonous. It is relatively simple to distinguish which is which, the poisonous species have axillary panicles and smooth fruits whilst non-poisonous species have compound terminal panicles and fruits covered with acid crimson hairs[12][6]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[8].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Rhus ovata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Rhus ovata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rhus ovata
Genus
Rhus
Family
Anacardiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[7]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][2]
Botanic
[13][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Drink)
  • Fruit (Unknown use)
  • Unknown part (Sweetener)
  • Unknown part (Tea)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Dye)
  • Unknown part (Mordant)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Birthing aid)
  • Unknown part (Pectoral)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
2 x meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious











References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.5 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  8. ? 8.008.018.028.038.048.058.068.078.088.098.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  9. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  11. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
  12. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  13. ? Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)


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