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Rhus succedanea
  • Wax Tree

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

Niche
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
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 succedanea has 0 edible uses listed
Rhus succedanea has 0 material uses listed
Rhus succedanea has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

This plant contains toxic substances which can cause severe irritation to some people. The fresh sap causes skin blisters[1]. The leaves contain the ubiquitous carcinogen shikimic acid[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit[3]. The acid pulp is eaten[4][5]. The edible fruit contains ellagic acid[2]. These reports need to be treated with some caution due to the general toxicity of the species[K].

Unknown part

Drink

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

The leaves contain about 20% tannin[2]. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[6].

The sap is tapped and used as a lacquer[7][8][9][4][10]. It is much used in Japanese art and needs to be kept in a cool humid place for it to dry properly. The Japanese traditionally kept their paintings in a damp cave until the lacquer had dried. A yellow dye is obtained from the wood[11]. A wax obtained from the fruit is used to make candles, floor wax, varnish etc[12][13][14][15][8][4][10]. The fruit contains about 17% wax[16]. The fatty acid composition of the wax is 77% palmitic, 5% stearic and arachidic, 6% dibasic, 12% oleic and a trace of linoleic[2].

The seed oil contains 25% glycerides of palmitic, 47% oleic and 28% linoleic[2].

Unknown part

Dye
Lacquer
Mordant
Oil
Varnish
Wax

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Antidote, antivinous, cholagogue, febrifuge, ophthalmic. Used as a wash to counteract varnish poisoning[11]. Use with extreme caution, see notes above on toxicity.

The fruit is used in the treatment of phthisis[17]. A wax from the fruits is used in ointments[2].

An ethanolic extract of the leaves exhibits anticancer and antiviral activities[2].

Unknown part

Antidote
Antivinous
Cancer
Cholagogue
Febrifuge
Ophthalmic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

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[18]. The stored seed also needs hot water treatment and can be sown in early spring in a cold frame[18]. 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[18]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[19][18].

Suckers in late autumn to winter[18].

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



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[14][18].

Plants are not very hardy in Britain, though they succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[12][14]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[18]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[14]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[18]. This species is frequently cultivated in Japan for its sap and the wax obtained from its fruit[14]. Many of the species in this genus, including this one, are highly toxic and can also cause severe irritation to the skin of some people, whilst other species 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[12][13]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[18].

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 succedanea. 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 succedanea.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rhus succedanea
Genus
Rhus
Family
Anacardiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][2]
Medicinal uses
[11][17][2]
Material uses & Functions
[2][6][7][8][9][4][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
Botanic
[14][15][18]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
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
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Secondary canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    9 x 9 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.82.9 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    7. ? 7.07.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
    9. ? 9.09.1 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press (1984-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    17. ? 17.017.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.418.518.618.718.818.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    19. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)


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    Facts about "Rhus succedanea"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAnacardiaceae +
    Belongs to genusRhus +
    Has common nameWax Tree +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Fruit +
    Has edible useDrink + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Bee +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Lacquer +, Mordant +, Oil +, Varnish + and Wax +
    Has mature height9 +
    Has mature width9 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntidote +, Antivinous +, Cancer +, Cholagogue +, Febrifuge + and Ophthalmic +
    Has search namerhus succedanea + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameRhus succedanea +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSecondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +