Rhus copallina

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Anacardiaceae

Genus

Rhus

Life cycle

perennial

Foliage

deciduous

Woodiness

woody

Growth rate

vigorous

Height

2 m

Spread

2 m

Fertility

self sterile

Flower type

dioecious

Pollinators

Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked^[13][20][6]. An agreeable acid flavour^[11]. The fruit is only 3 - 5mm long with very little flesh, but it is borne on dense panicles and is thus easily harvested^[17]. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)^{[23][2][4][5][10]}. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent.

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.

A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of dysentery^[14]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of VD^[18]. A poultice of the root has been applied to sores and skin eruptions^[18]. A tea made from the bark has been drunk to stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers. A decoction of the bark has been used as a wash for blisters and sunburn blisters^[14][18]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to cleanse and purify skin eruptions^[18]. The berries were chewed in the treatment of bed-wetting and mouth sores^[14][18]. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

Material uses

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

The leaves are rich in tannin^[20][22][7], so is the bark^[4] and the fruit^[7]. The leaves can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant^[7][8]. The leaves contain 10 - 25% tannin^[8]. Up to 35.8% has been obtained from some plants^[15]. An oil is extracted from the seeds^[19]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke^[19]. The plants extensive root system makes it useful for stabilizing soils. A black dye is obtained from the fruit^[4][18]. A resin, 'copal resin', is obtained from the sap of this plant. When dissolved in any volatile liquid, such as oil of turpentine, it makes a beautiful varnish^[19]. (Is this a mistaken entry? Perhaps it belongs with one of the toxic species[K]). Wood - light, soft, coarse grained^[22]. It weighs 32lb per cubic foot^[16]. Sometimes used for small posts^[4].

Ecology and functions

Environment

Range

Eastern N. America - Maine to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois.

Habitat

Generally found in dry soils on hillsides, along the margins of woodlands and roads, and in abandoned fields^[17].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

no shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 5+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Drainage

well drained

Tolerances

high wind, drought

Wind

Yes

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

tolerant

Propagation

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

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun^[3][12]. Tolerates poor soils^[7][12]. Established plants are drought resistant^[7]. A very hardy species, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c^[12]. However, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant^[1]. It is quite fast-growing but short-lived in the wild^[17]. In the north of its range plants are dwarf, around 1.2 metres tall, but in the south they can be up to 7 metres tall^[9]. Some botanists divide this species into separate species, whilst others see it as a single species with geographical forms. R. copallina is usually a shrub and is found in moist soils in sun or shade^[16]. R. copallina lanceolata. Gray. is more tree-like and is found in drier soils^[16]. Transplants easily^[7]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds^[12]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus^[3]. 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][19]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists^[12]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus^[12]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Related plants

• Rhus ambigua
• Rhus aromaticaLemon Sumach
• Rhus chinensisChinese Gall
• Rhus coriariaElm-Leaved Sumach

References

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

   ↩1↩2

2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

   ↩

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

   ↩1↩2

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

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4

5. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

   ↩

6. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

   ↩

7. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

8. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

   ↩1↩2

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

   ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

12. 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↩11

13. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

14. 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

15. Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946-00-00

    ↩

16. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩1↩2↩3

17. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3

18. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

22. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2

23. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩