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Rhus copallina - L.

Common Name Dwarf Sumach, Winged sumac, Flameleaf Sumac, Winged Sumac, Shining Sumac
Family Anacardiaceae
USDA hardiness 4-10
Known Hazards 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'.
Habitats Generally found in dry soils on hillsides, along the margins of woodlands and roads, and in abandoned fields[229].
Range Eastern N. America - Maine to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Rhus copallina Dwarf Sumach,  Winged sumac, Flameleaf Sumac,  Winged Sumac, Shining  Sumac


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Rhus copallina Dwarf Sumach,  Winged sumac, Flameleaf Sumac,  Winged Sumac, Shining  Sumac
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Summary

This is an incorrect spelling and should be Rhus copallinum L. Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Rhus copallina is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from October to December. 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 and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Rhus copallinum L. Rhus copallinum var. copallinum.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil
Edible Uses: Drink  Oil

Fruit - raw or cooked[22, 46, 161]. An agreeable acid flavour[2]. The fruit is only 3 - 5mm long with very little flesh, but it is borne on dense panicles and is thus easily harvested[229]. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[95, 105, 149, 159, 183]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent.

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.
Astringent  Dysentery  Enuresis  Galactogogue  Poultice  Salve

A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of dysentery[222]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of VD[257]. A poultice of the root has been applied to sores and skin eruptions[257]. A tea made from the bark has been drunk to stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers. A decoction of the bark has been used as a wash for blisters and sunburn blisters[222, 257]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to cleanse and purify skin eruptions[257]. The berries were chewed in the treatment of bed-wetting and mouth sores[222, 257]. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Hedge  Hedge  Mordant  Oil  Resin  Soil stabilization  Tannin  Varnish  Wood

The leaves are rich in tannin[46, 82, 169], so is the bark[149] and the fruit[169]. The leaves can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[169, 171]. The leaves contain 10 - 25% tannin[171]. Up to 35.8% has been obtained from some plants[223]. 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 plants extensive root system makes it useful for stabilizing soils. A black dye is obtained from the fruit[149, 257]. A resin, 'copal resin', is obtained from the sap of this plant. When dissolved in any volatile liquid, such as oil of turpentine, it makes a beautiful varnish[4]. (Is this a mistaken entry? Perhaps it belongs with one of the toxic species[K]). Wood - light, soft, coarse grained[82]. It weighs 32lb per cubic foot[227]. Sometimes used for small posts[149].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Experimental Crop  Industrial Crop: Dye  Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Industrial Crop: Tannin  Management: Coppice

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Pest tolerant, Massing, Specimen. Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[11, 200]. Tolerates poor soils[169, 200]. Established plants are drought resistant[169]. A very hardy species, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c[200]. However, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[1]. It is quite fast-growing but short-lived in the wild[229]. In the north of its range plants are dwarf, around 1.2 metres tall, but in the south they can be up to 7 metres tall[182]. Some botanists divide this species into separate species, whilst others see it as a single species with geographical forms. R. copallina is usually a shrub and is found in moist soils in sun or shade[227]. R. copallina lanceolata. Gray. is more tree-like and is found in drier soils[227]. Transplants easily[169]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[200]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[11]. 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[1, 4]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Attracts butterflies, Attractive flowers or blooms. Carbon Farming - Cultivation: experimental. Management: coppice. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a running thicket former forming a colony from shoots away from the crown spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2].

Carbon Farming

  • Experimental Crop  Plant breeders are testing these plants to see if they could be domesticated for cultivation, but they are still in an experimental phase. Examples include milkweed and leafy spurge.
  • Industrial Crop: Dye  Botanical dyes replacing synthetic dyes (known as heavy polluters).
  • Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
  • Industrial Crop: Tannin  Occur generally in the roots, wood, bark, leaves, and fruit of many plants. Used in tanning leather, dyeing fabric, making ink, and medical applications.
  • Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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]. 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[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

Black sumac, Flameleaf sumac, Mountain sumac, Pohon sumak amerika, Shining sumac, Winged sumac,

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Eastern North America from New York to Alabama and Florida,

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.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
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Rhus aromaticaLemon Sumach, Fragrant sumacShrub1.2 3-9 SLMHNDM422
Rhus chinensisChinese Gall, Chinese sumacTree6.0 7-10  LMHNM232
Rhus coriariaElm-Leaved Sumach, Sicilian sumacShrub3.0 8-11  LMHNDM212
Rhus diversilobaWestern Poison Oak, Pacific poison oakShrub2.5 4-8  LMHNM022
Rhus glabraSmooth SumachShrub3.0 3-9 MLMHNDM433
Rhus integrifoliaLemonade Berry, Lemonade sumacShrub2.0 8-10 MLMHNDM202
Rhus microphyllaDesert Sumach, Littleleaf sumacShrub2.0 8-11  LMHND202
Rhus ovataSugar Bush, Sugar sumacShrub2.0 8-11  LMNDM212
Rhus potaninii Tree12.0 4-8  LMHNM022
Rhus punjabensis Tree12.0 5-9  LMHNM322
Rhus punjabensis sinica Tree12.0 5-9  LMHNM322
Rhus radicansPoison IvyClimber2.5 4-8 FLMHNM012
Rhus sempervirens Shrub3.5 -  LMHNDM212
Rhus succedaneaWax TreeTree9.0 4-9  LMHNM124
Rhus sylvestris Tree10.0 -  LMHNM002
Rhus toxicodendronEastern Poison OakShrub0.6 6-9  LMHNDM022
Rhus trichocarpa Tree6.0 -  LMHNM002
Rhus trilobataSkunk Bush, Basketbush, Squawbush, Three Leaf SumacShrub1.8 4-6 MLMHNDM423
Rhus typhinaStag's Horn Sumach, Velvet Sumac, Staghorn SumacShrub6.0 4-8 FLMHNDM423
Rhus vernixPoison SumachShrub3.0 3-7  LMHNMWe012
Rhus wallichii Tree8.0 -  LMHNM012
Rhus x pulvinata Shrub3.0 0-0  LMHNDM422

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.

 

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