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Brundage, Stephanie

Rhus virens var. choriophylla

Rhus virens Lindh. ex A. Gray var. choriophylla (Woot. & Standl.) L.D. Benson

Mearn Sumac, Evergreen Sumac

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)

Synonym(s): Rhus choriophylla, Rhus virens ssp. choriophylla

USDA Symbol: RHVIC

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Evergreen sumac low shrub, growing to about 10 ft. in height. The few branches are maroon-brown and velvety. They bear pale-green, pinnate, evergreen leaves. Creamy-white flowers occur in small, terminal and axillary clusters. They are followed by a velvety-red fruit.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX to s.e. AZ & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry slopes & hillsides

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: More drought-tolerant than R. virens. Native sumacs make attractive specimen, hedge or background plants and are important wildlife plants. They are fast growing, generally insect and disease-free, and drought-tolerant.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Provides 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: Rhus seeds germinate poorly without pretreatment. Scarification in acid or hot water is necessary and seeds of many species require cold-moist stratification after scarification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rhus virens var. choriophylla in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rhus virens var. choriophylla in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhus virens var. choriophylla

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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