This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Rhus chinensis
  • Chinese Gall

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
  • 8
    Zone 8
    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 chinensis has 0 edible uses listed
Rhus chinensis has 0 material uses listed
Rhus chinensis has 0 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 - cooked[1][2][3][4]. An acid flavour[1]. It is also used medicinally[1][3]. The fruit can be used as a salt or a rennet substitute[5][4].

Unknown part

Curdling agent
Salt

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

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[6].

A blue dye is obtained from insect galls on the plant[7], it can also be used as an ink[8]. The galls are formed as a result of damage by the greenfly, Aphis chinensis[9]. The galls contain up to 77% tannin[9]. The reports do not say if the galls are harvested before or after the insect has left the gall. An oil is extracted from the seeds[10][2]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[10].

The wood is soft and is not used[3].

Unknown part

Dye
Ink
Mordant
Oil
Tannin
Wax

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves and the roots are depurative[11]. They stimulate blood circulation[11]. A decoction is used in the treatment of haemoptysis, inflammations, laryngitis, snakebite, stomach-ache and traumatic fractures[11][12].

The stem bark is astringent and anthelmintic[12]. The fruit is used in the treatment of colic[13]. The seed is used in the treatment of coughs, dysentery, fever, jaundice, malaria and rheumatism[12]. The root bark is cholagogue[12]. Galls on the plant are rich in tannin[14]. They are used internally for their astringent and styptic properties to treat conditions such as diarrhoea and haemorrhage[12][14]. They are a frequent ingredient in polyherbal prescriptions for diabetes mellitus[12]. An excrescence produced on the leaf by an insect Melaphis chinensis or M. paitan (this report probably refers to the galls produced by the plant in response to the insect[K]) is antiseptic, astringent and haemostatic[15]. It s 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[15].

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

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antiphlogistic
Antiseptic
Astringent
Cholagogue
Depurative
Haemostatic

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[16]. 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[16]. 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[16]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[17][16].

Suckers in late autumn to winter[16].

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



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[18][16].

A very ornamental plant[18], it is not fully hardy in all parts of Britain and needs a hot summer in order to fully ripen its wood, suffering winter damage to late growth if the temperature falls below about -7°c[16]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus and any winter damage will exacerbate the situation[18]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[16]. 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[19][10]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[16]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[16].

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 chinensis. 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 chinensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rhus chinensis
Genus
Rhus
Family
Anacardiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[11][12][13][14][15]
Material uses & Functions
[6][7][8][9][10][2][3]
Botanic
[18][20][16]
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
8
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
    6 x meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    7. ? 7.07.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.6 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 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)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    16. ? 16.0016.0116.0216.0316.0416.0516.0616.0716.0816.0916.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    19. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    20. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Rhus_chinensis&oldid=80118"
    Facts about "Rhus chinensis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAnacardiaceae +
    Belongs to genusRhus +
    Has binomial nameRhus chinensis +
    Has common nameChinese Gall +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Fruit +
    Has edible useCurdling agent +, Unknown use + and Salt +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Bees +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Ink +, Mordant +, Oil +, Tannin + and Wax +
    Has mature height6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antiphlogistic +, Antiseptic +, Astringent +, Cholagogue +, Depurative + and Haemostatic +
    Has search namerhus chinensis + and chinese gall +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameRhus chinensis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSecondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis +, Rhus chinensis + and Rhus chinensis +