Rhus glabra

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Anacardiaceae

Genus

Rhus

Life cycle

perennial

Foliage

deciduous

Woodiness

woody

Height

3 m

Spread

3 m

Fertility

Self sterile, Bees

Flower type

dioecious

Pollinators

Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked^[12][15][24]. An acid flavour, it has been used as a substitute for lemon juice^[12]. The fruit is rather small and with very little flesh, but it is produced on fairly large panicles 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)^{[28][29][2][3][5][6][11]}. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. Root - peeled and eaten raw^[7][11]. This report should be treated with some caution due to possible toxicity^[14]. Young shoots - peeled and eaten raw^[11][21]. This report should be treated with some caution due to possible toxicity^[14]. The bark has been eaten as a delicacy by children^[21]. This report should be treated with some caution due to possible toxicity^[14].

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.

Smooth sumach was employed medicinally by various native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints^[21]. It is occasionally used in modern herbalism where it is valued for its astringent and antiseptic qualities. Some caution should be employed in the use of this species since it can possibly cause skin irritations. It is best only used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. A tea made from the bark or root bark is alterative, antiseptic, astringent, galactogogue, haemostatic, rubefacient and tonic^{[22][16][19][21]}. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, fevers, general debility, sore mouths, rectal bleeding, uterine prolapse etc^[16][20]. It is used as a gargle to treat sore throats and applied externally to treat excessive vaginal discharge, burns and skin eruptions^[20][21]. The powdered bark can be applied as a poultice to old ulcers, it is a good antiseptic^[22]. A tea made from the roots is appetizer, astringent, diuretic and emetic^[16][21]. An infusion is used in the treatment of colds, sore throats, painful urination, retention of urine and dysentery^[21]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use^[20]. An infusion of the green or dried branches has been used in the treatment of TB^[21]. A decoction of the branches, with the seed heads, has been used to treat itchy scalps and as a bathing water for frost-bitten limbs^[21]. The milky latex from the plant has been used as a salve on sores^[21]. A tea made from the leaves was used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea and stomatitis^[16]. A poultice of the leaves has been used to treat skin rashes^[21]. The leaves have been chewed to treat sore gums and they have been rubbed on the lips to treat sore lips^[21]. The berries are diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, purgative and refrigerant^[22][21]. They are used in the treatment of late-onset diabetes, stranguary bowel complaints, febrile diseases, dysmenorrhoea etc^[22][20][21]. They have been chewed as a remedy for bed-wetting^[16][21]. The blossoms have been chewed as a treatment for sore mouths^[21]. A decoction of the blossoms has been used as a mouthwash for teething children^[21]. An infusion of the blossoms has been used as an eye wash for sore eyes^[21].

Material uses

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

The leaves are rich in tannin, containing about 10 - 25%^[9]. Up to 31.2% has been obtained from some plants^[17]. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant^[8]. The twigs and root are also rich in tannin^[5]. A black and a red dye is obtained from the fruit^[22][21]. A black dye is obtained from the leaves, bark and roots^[21]. An orange or yellow dye is obtained from the roots harvested in spring^[24][26][21]. A light yellow dye is obtained from the pulp of the stems^[21]. The inner bark, mixed with bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and the inner bark of wild plum (Prunus sp.) has been used to make a yellow dye^[21]. An oil is extracted from the seeds^[22]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke^[22]. The plant has an extensive root system and is fairly wind tolerant, though branches can be broken off in very strong winds. It is planted for soil stabilization and as a shelter screen^[13]. It can quickly establish itself in open sunny locations and so can be used as a pioneer species for establishing woodlands^[18]. Wood - soft, light, brittle^[2][5].

Environment

Range

N. America - found in all 48 mainland states of USA^[14] and in southern Canada.

Habitat

Thickets and waste ground on dry soil and by streams^[22][23][25]. The best specimens are found in rich moist soil^[5][18].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

no shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 2+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Drainage

well drained

Tolerances

high wind

Wind

Yes

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

intolerant

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^[4][13]. Tolerates poor sandy soils^[13]. A very hardy plant, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to at least -25°c^[13]. However, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A fast-growing but short-lived plant in the wild^[18]. Single-stem plants are short-lived in cultivation, but if the plants are coppiced regularly and allowed to form thickets, then they will live longer and also be more ornamental with larger leaves^[19]. Any coppicing is best carried out in early spring^[19]. It is a very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties^[10]. Closely allied to R. typhina^[4], it hybridizes with that species where their ranges overlap^[2][18]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds^[13]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus^[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus^[13]. A good bee plant[K]. 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][22]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists^[13]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Related plants

• Rhus ambigua
• Rhus aromaticaLemon Sumach
• Rhus chinensisChinese Gall
• Rhus copallinaDwarf Sumach

References

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

   ↩

2. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

   ↩1↩2↩3

3. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

   ↩

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

   ↩1↩2↩3

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

   ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

   ↩

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

   ↩

8. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

   ↩

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

   ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

13. 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↩12

14. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

15. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

16. 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

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

    ↩

18. 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↩4

19. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16↩17↩18↩19↩20↩21↩22↩23

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

25. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

28. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩

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

    ↩