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Rhus copallina
  • Dwarf Sumach

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Rhus copallina has 2 edible uses listed
Rhus copallina has 7 material uses listed
Rhus copallina has 5 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2][3]. An agreeable acid flavour[4]. The fruit is only 3 - 5mm long with very little flesh, but it is borne on dense panicles and is thus easily harvested[5]. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[6][7][8][9][10]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent.

Unknown part

Drink

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves are rich in tannin[2][11][12], so is the bark[8] and the fruit[12]. The leaves can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[12][13]. The leaves contain 10 - 25% tannin[13]. Up to 35.8% has been obtained from some plants[14].

An oil is extracted from the seeds[15]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[15]. The plants extensive root system makes it useful for stabilizing soils. A black dye is obtained from the fruit[8][16]. A resin, 'copal resin', is obtained from the sap of this plant. When dissolved in any volatile liquid, such as oil of turpentine, it makes a beautiful varnish[15]. (Is this a mistaken entry? Perhaps it belongs with one of the toxic species[K]).

Wood - light, soft, coarse grained[11]. It weighs 32lb per cubic foot[17]. Sometimes used for small posts[8].

Unknown part

Dye
Mordant
Oil
Resin
Tannin
Varnish
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of dysentery[18]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of VD[16]. A poultice of the root has been applied to sores and skin eruptions[16].

A tea made from the bark has been drunk to stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers. A decoction of the bark has been used as a wash for blisters and sunburn blisters[18][16]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to cleanse and purify skin eruptions[16]. The berries were chewed in the treatment of bed-wetting and mouth sores[18][16].

Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

Unknown part

Astringent
Enuresis
Galactogogue
Poultice
Salve

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge


Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[19]. 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[19]. 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[19]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[20][19].

Suckers in late autumn to winter[19].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Rhus copallina. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[21][19]. Tolerates poor soils[12][19]. Established plants are drought resistant[12].

A very hardy species, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c[19]. However, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[22]. It is quite fast-growing but short-lived in the wild[5]. In the north of its range plants are dwarf, around 1.2 metres tall, but in the south they can be up to 7 metres tall[23]. Some botanists divide this species into separate species, whilst others see it as a single species with geographical forms. R. copallina is usually a shrub and is found in moist soils in sun or shade[17]. R. copallina lanceolata. Gray. is more tree-like and is found in drier soils[17]. Transplants easily[12]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[19]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[21]. 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[22][15]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[19]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[19].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Rhus copallina. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Rhus copallina.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rhus copallina
Genus
Rhus
Family
Anacardiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Medicinal uses
[18][16]
Material uses & Functions
[2][11][12][8][13][14][15][16][17]
Botanic
[21][24][19]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Drink)
  • Fruit (Unknown use)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Dye)
  • Unknown part (Mordant)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
  • Unknown part (Resin)
  • Unknown part (Tannin)
  • Unknown part (Varnish)
  • Unknown part (Wood)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Astringent)
  • Unknown part (Enuresis)
  • Unknown part (Galactogogue)
  • Unknown part (Poultice)
  • Unknown part (Salve)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge, Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
2 x 2 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious











References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods. ()
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  4. ? 4.04.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press ISBN 0-253-28925-4 (1977-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.6 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.516.616.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.218.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  19. ? 19.0019.0119.0219.0319.0419.0519.0619.0719.0819.0919.1019.11 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  20. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  21. ? 21.021.121.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  22. ? 22.022.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  23. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  24. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-43


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