Practical
Plants

Rhus typhina

Stag's Horn 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
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
6 m
Spread
6 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.

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

Fruit - cooked[12][21]. A very sour flavour, they are used in pies[8]. The fruit is rather small and with very little flesh, but it is produced in quite large clusters 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)[55, 85, 95. 101, 102, 183]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent.

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Drink, Seasoning, Cooked

Fruit - cooked[26][27]. A very sour flavour, they are used in pies[25]. The fruit is rather small and with very little flesh, but it is produced in quite large clusters 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)[55, 85, 95. 101, 102, 183]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. Berries can be squeezed into sweetened cold water for a drink[28] Dried berries are used in the spice mix WikiPedia:zaatar[28]

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.

Stag's horn sumach was often employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its astringent qualities[19]. It is little used in modern herbalism. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity. The bark is antiseptic, astringent, galactogogue and tonic[13][19]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, fevers, piles, general debility, uterine prolapse etc[10][13]. An infusion is also said to greatly increase the milk flow of a nursing mother - small pieces of the wood were also eaten for this purpose[19]. The inner bark is said to be a valuable remedy for piles[19]. The roots are astringent, blood purifier, diuretic and emetic[13]. An infusion of the roots, combined with purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has been used in the treatment of venereal disease[19]. A poultice of the roots has been used to treat boils[19]. The leaves are astringent. They have been used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea and stomatosis[13]. An infusion of the fruits has been used as a tonic to improve the appetite and as a treatment for diarrhoea[19]. The berries are astringent and blood purifier[19]. They were chewed as a remedy for bed-wetting[13][19]. A tea made from the berries has been used to treat sore throats[10]. The flowers are astringent and stomachic. An infusion has been used to treat stomach pains[19]. The sap has been applied externally as a treatment of warts[15]. Some caution is advised here since the sap can cause a rash on many people[K].

Product or use
Antihaemorrhoidal
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
VD
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

The leaves are rich in tannin, up to 48% has been obtained in a controlled plantation[14]. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[5][6]. The bark, especially the root bark, and the fruits are also very rich in tannin[23][4][5]. A yellow dye can be obtained from the roots[19]. An orange dye can be obtained from the inner bark and central pith of the stem, mixed with bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)[19]. A black ink can be made by boiling the leaves and the fruit[15]. An oil is extracted from the seeds[20]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[20]. Pipes are made from the young shoots and are used for drawing the sap of sugar maples (Acer spp)[23]. They are also used as flutes[4]. The plant has an extensive root system and is planted as a windbreak screen and to prevent soil erosion[9]. Wood - soft, light, brittle, coarse grained[23][2]. It weighs 27lb per cubic foot[17]. Of no commercial value, though it is sometimes used as a rough construction wood or is employed in turning[15].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Mordant
Product or use
Musical
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Pipes
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to the southern Appalachian mountains and west to Iowa.
Habitat
Usually found in upland sites on rich soils, but it is also found in gravel and sandy nutrient-poor soils. It grows by streams and swamps, along roadsides, railway embankments and edges of woods[16].
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
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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[9]. 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[9]. 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[9]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[22][9]. Suckers in late autumn to winter[9].

Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[3][9]. Tolerates poor soils[5][9]. Succeeds in dry soils and is drought resistant once it is established[5]. A fairly wind hardy plant, though the branches are brittle and can be broken off in very high winds[200, K]. A very hardy plant, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to at least -25°c[9]. However, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A fast growing but short-lived tree[4], it can sucker freely, forming thickets and becoming quite anti-social when grown in small areas[3]. 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[18]. Any coppicing is best carried out in early spring[18]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[7]. It is susceptible to coral spot fungus[3] but is notably resistant to honey fungus[24][9]. It transplants easily[5]. This is a very good bee plant, the flowers producing an abundance of pollen and nectar[15]. There is some doubt over the validity of this name and the earlier R. hirta. [L.] has been proposed as the correct name. However, it seems likely that R. typhina will be retained because it is so well known[11]. This species is closely related to and hybridizes with R. glabra[2]. 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][20]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[9]. 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

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

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

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

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  9. 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

  10. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

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

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  12. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

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  13. 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

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

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  15. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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  17. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

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

    ↩1↩2

  19. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

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  23. 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↩3

  24. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

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  25. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)

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  26. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods. ()

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  27. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (32202/01/01)

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  28. Dave Hamilton [Stag Horn Sumac? Rhus typhina The Forager?s Lemon] (2012/10/09)

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