Practical
Plants

Rhus potaninii

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
12 m
Spread
8 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'.

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.

An excrescence produced on the leaf by an insect Melaphis chinensis or M. paitan is antiseptic, astringent and haemostatic[5]. It is used in the treatment of persistent cough with blood, chronic diarrhoea, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, bloody stool, urorrhoea and bloody sputum. It is used applied externally to burns, bleeding due to traumatic injuries, haemorrhoids and ulcers in the mouth[5].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Haemostatic

Material uses

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

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[4]. An oil is extracted from the seeds[7]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[7]. An indelible black ink is obtained from galls on the leaves[8][9]. The report does not say if the galls are used before or after the insect leaves them.

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

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - C. and W. China.
Habitat
Woods to 2500 metres[2].
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
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[6]. 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[6]. 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[6]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[10][6]. Suckers in late autumn to winter[6].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[3][6]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[1], but it rarely flowers in Britain[3]. This species is very closely related to R. punjabensis[2]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[6]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6]. 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][7]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[6]. 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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  5. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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