Practical
Plants

Rhus microphylla

Desert Sumach

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rhus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Fertility
self sterile
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[4][8]. A sour flavour[3]. The dried fruits can be ground up, mixed with water and used to make a jam[8]. 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)[6]. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter[7].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

An oil is extracted from the seeds[9]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[9]. 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].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Mordant
Product or use
Oil

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Texas to Mexico.
Habitat
Dry rocky hillsides or gravelly mesas, 600 - 1800 metres[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
low
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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[7]. 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[7]. 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[7]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[10][7]. Suckers in late autumn to winter[7].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[2][7]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it may not succeed outdoors even in the mildest areas of the country[7]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[7]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. 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][9]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[7]. 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. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  5. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

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  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  7. 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

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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