Practical
Plants

Rhus aromatica

Lemon Sumach

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rhus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.2 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[8][10]. The fruit is small with very little flesh, but it is easily harvested and when soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[61, 85, 183, K]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. The fruit can also be dried and ground into a powder then mixed with corn meal and used in cakes, porridges etc[6].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are astringent and diuretic[17][11]. They were used in the treatment of colds, stomach aches and bleeding[11]. The root bark is astringent and diuretic[14][11]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery. Used externally, it is used to treat excessive vaginal discharge and skin eruptions and also as a gargle for sore throats[13]. Its use is contraindicated if inflammation is present[11]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[13]. The fruits are astringent and diuretic[13]. They have been chewed in the treatment of stomach aches, toothaches and gripe[11] and used as a gargle to treat mouth and throat complaints[13]. They help reduce fevers and may be of help in treating late-onset diabetes[13]. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are rich in tannin (up to 25%) and can be collected as they fall in the autumn then used as a brown dye or as a mordant[4]. The bark is also a good source of tannin[14]. An oil is extracted from the seeds[14]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[14]. The plant has an extensive root system and is sometimes planted to prevent soil erosion[9]. The split stems are used in basket making[14][16][17].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Mordant
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Tannin

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Quebec to Florida and Indiana to Texas.
Habitat
Dry rocks, sands and open woods[15], often on limestone outcrops[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[9]. 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[9]. 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[9]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[18][9]. Suckers in late autumn to winter[9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[2][9]. Tolerates poor soils[4][9]. Established plants are drought resistant[4]. A very hardy plant when fully dormant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[7]. However, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. 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[1][14]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[9]. This species is a low suckering shrub[5]. There is a specially low growing form, var. arenaria, that is found growing on sand dunes in the mid-west of N. America[7]. A polymorphic species[15]. Plants are susceptible to coral spot fungus[2]. Plants have brittle branches that are easily damaged in very strong winds[2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9]. This species transplants easily[4]. The plant has an offensive smell[3]. Or, to go by another nose, the bruised leaves emit a delicious resinous scent[12]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩1↩2

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  10. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

  11. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  14. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  18. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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