Practical
Plants

Rhus trilobata

Skunk Bush

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
1.8 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'.

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[10][12][13][14][15][3]. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, mixed with cornmeal or made into a jam[5]. The fruit is small with very little flesh, but it is produced in 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)[12][13][3][5]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[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.

Skunk bush was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who valued it especially for its astringent qualities and used it to treat a range of complaints[7]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. Due to its potentially toxic nature, it should be used with some caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The fruit is analgesic, astringent and stomachic[7]. It has been eaten as a treatment for stomach problems and grippe[7]. The dried berries have been ground into a powder and dusted onto smallpox pustules[7]. The fruit has been chewed as a treatment for toothache and also used as a mouthwash[7]. A decoction of the fruit has been used as a wash to prevent the hair falling out[7]. The leaves are astringent, diuretic, emetic and haemostatic[7]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of head colds[7]. A decoction of the leaves has been drunk to induce impotency as a method of contraception[7]. A poultice of leaves has been used to treat itches[7]. An infusion of the bark has been used as a douche after childbirth[7]. The bark has been chewed, and the juice swallowed, as a treatment for colds and sore gums[7]. A decoction of the root bark has been taken to facilitate easy delivery of the placenta[7]. The roots have been used as a deodorant[7]. The buds have been used on the body as a medicinal deodorant and perfume[7].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antipruritic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Oxytoxic
Product or use
Stomachic

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 black to brown dye or as a mordant[4][7]. The fruits can also be used as a mordant[7]. A yellow dye is obtained from the twigs[3]. black dye can be obtained when the twigs are mixed with pine gum[7]. A red-brown dye can be made from the bark and leaves[7]. A pink-tan dye can be made from the fruit[7]. The ashes of the plant can be used as a mordant to fix dyes[7]. An oil is extracted from the seeds[8]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[8]. The roots have been used as a perfume and deodorant[7]. The buds have been used on the body as a medicinal deodorant and perfume[7]. The leaves have been rubbed on the body as an insect and snake repellent[7]. Some caution should be employed here, see the notes above on toxicity[K]. The branches are tough and slender, they are stripped of their bark and split into several strands then used in basket making[9][13][14][15][3][7].

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

Environment

Range
Western N. America.
Habitat
Foothills, canyons, slopes etc, usually on dry rocky soils[10] and especially 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
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[11][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[2][6], but produces its best fruit when grown close to moist ground[12]. Judging by the plants native habitat it should succeed in dry soils[K]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. This species is closely allied to R. aromatica[2]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[6]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[2]. 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][8]. 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

    ↩

  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↩3↩4↩5

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

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

    ↩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↩10

  7. 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↩24↩25

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  10. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-520-00072-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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