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Rhus ovata
Rhus ovata S. Watson
Sugar Sumac, Sugarbush
Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)
Synonym(s): Rhus ovata var. traskiae
USDA Symbol: RHOV
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Sugar sumac is an evergreen shrub with large, bright-green, leathery leaves and dense, white flower clusters. Berries are reddish and sticky. Evergreen shrub or small tree with rounded crown.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Spreading shrub usually up to about 15 feet. May reach up to about 30 feet tall.
Leaf: Shiny green above, pale below.
Fruit: Red. 1/8 inch.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AZ , CANative Distribution: Baja & s. CA, usually away from coast, to c. AZ
Native Habitat: Slopes; mesas; chaparral; 3000-5000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Extremely drought-tolerant. Somewhat fire-proof if given a once/month watering in the summer. Sumac colonies are often single-sexed, formed from a single, suckering parent. Only female plants produce flowers and berries.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Sometimes planted for erosion control and landscaping in mountainous areas, this common species is also an attractive ornamental which can be sheared.Use Wildlife: Food for many upland gamebirds, songbirds, large and small mammals.
Use Food: The edible fruit with thin pulp is sweet and was used as a sweetener by Indians; however, the large seeds are not eaten.
Attracts: Birds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesProvides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Treated seed and root cuttings are used for increase.Seed Treatment: Soak in tap water 24 hours and immediately sow the seeds that swell. Boil the rest in water and cool immediately.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1984 VOL. 1, NO.4 - Lady Bird Heartened by Progress, Horticultural Society Annual Meeting Held, Dire...Additional resources
USDA: Find Rhus ovata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Rhus ovata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhus ovata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-20Research By: TWC Staff