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| © Walker, Norman Purvis (1905). An introduction to dermatology, Third Edition, William Wood and company |
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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Rhus toxicodendron is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
R. quercifolia. Toxicodendron radicans. T. pubescens. P.Mill.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Oil
Edible Uses: Oil
None known
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic Homeopathy Irritant Narcotic Parasiticide Rubefacient Salve Stimulant
Poison oak has occasionally been used medicinally, though it is an extremely poisonous plant and great caution should be exercised. Any herbal use should only be undertaken under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See also the notes above on toxicity. A fluid extract of the fresh leaves is irritant, narcotic, rubefacient and stimulant[4]. It has been used with some success in the treatment of paralysis, obstinate herpatic eruptions, palsy and in various forms of chronic and obstinate eruptive diseases[4]. A mash of the leaves has been used to treat ringworm[213]. An external application has also been used in the treatment of herpes sores[213]. A poultice of the plant has been used to treat infectious sores on the lips[257]. The root has been used to make a poultice and salve in the treatment of chronic sores and swollen glands[257]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[232]. These should be harvested of a night-time, during damp weather and before the plant flowers[232]. This remedy has a wide range of applications and is one of the main treatments for mumps[232], it is also used in a wide range of skin disorders[4].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye Ink Mordant Oil Parasiticide Tannin Varnish
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[169]. An oil is extracted from the seeds[4]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[4]. The milky juice makes an excellent indelible marking ink for linen etc[4, 11]. It is also used as a varnish for boots and shoes[4].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[11, 200]. Judging by the plants natural habitat, it should also succeed in poor acid soils and dry soils[K]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[200]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species is a small suckering shrub, it can spread freely in suitable conditions[K]. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species. It is united with R. radicans (under that name) by some botanists whilst others split this species off into another genus, Toxicodendron, and unite it with R. radicans as Toxicodendron radicans[200]. 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[1, 4]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant 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[200]. The stored seed also needs hot water treatment and can be sown in early spring in a cold frame[200]. 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[200]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[78, 200]. Suckers in late autumn to winter[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Jersey (south), Kansas (southeast), Missouri (south), Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, Texas)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Rhus ambigua | | Climber | 0.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Rhus aromatica | Lemon Sumach, Fragrant sumac | Shrub | 1.2 |
3-9
| S | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Rhus chinensis | Chinese Gall, Chinese sumac | Tree | 6.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Rhus copallina | Dwarf Sumach, Winged sumac, Flameleaf Sumac, Winged Sumac, Shining Sumac | Shrub | 2.0 |
4-10
| F | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Rhus coriaria | Elm-Leaved Sumach, Sicilian sumac | Shrub | 3.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Rhus diversiloba | Western Poison Oak, Pacific poison oak | Shrub | 2.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rhus glabra | Smooth Sumach | Shrub | 3.0 |
3-9
| M | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Rhus integrifolia | Lemonade Berry, Lemonade sumac | Shrub | 2.0 |
8-10
| M | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Rhus microphylla | Desert Sumach, Littleleaf sumac | Shrub | 2.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | N | D | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Rhus ovata | Sugar Bush, Sugar sumac | Shrub | 2.0 |
8-11
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Rhus potaninii | | Tree | 12.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rhus punjabensis | | Tree | 12.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Rhus punjabensis sinica | | Tree | 12.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Rhus radicans | Poison Ivy | Climber | 2.5 |
4-8
| F | LMH | N | M | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Rhus sempervirens | | Shrub | 3.5 |
-
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Rhus succedanea | Wax Tree | Tree | 9.0 |
4-9
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Rhus sylvestris | | Tree | 10.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Rhus trichocarpa | | Tree | 6.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Rhus trilobata | Skunk Bush, Basketbush, Squawbush, Three Leaf Sumac | Shrub | 1.8 |
4-6
| M | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Rhus typhina | Stag's Horn Sumach, Velvet Sumac, Staghorn Sumac | Shrub | 6.0 |
4-8
| F | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Rhus vernix | Poison Sumach | Shrub | 3.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Rhus wallichii | | Tree | 8.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Rhus x pulvinata | | Shrub | 3.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 2 | 2 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
1143200
Links / References
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Subject : Rhus toxicodendron
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