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Rhus virens - Lindh. ex A.Gray

Common Name

Evergreen sumac

Family

Anacardiaceae

USDA hardiness

7-10

Known Hazards

The genus Rhus is being treated in its strict sense here, so it excludes the many species with highly toxic and irritant sap (these are included in Toxicodendron). Although the two genera are very similar, it is relatively simple to distinguish which is which, the poisonous species (Toxicodendron) have axillary panicles and smooth fruits whilst non-poisonous species (Rhus) have compound terminal panicles and fruits covered with acid crimson hairs[1 , 4 ]. Whilst the genus Rhus in this treatment is generally seen as having a non-toxic sap there are some suggestions that the sap of some species in the genus (including this one) can cause a skin rash in susceptible people.

Habitats

Dry slopes, rocky hillsides and cliffs; at elevations from 600 - 2,250 metres[149 , 181 ]. A tree and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome.

Range

The native range of this species is S. Central U.S.A. to Mexico.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(2 of 5)

Weed Potential

No

Medicinal Rating

(2 of 5)

Care (info)

Frost Hardy

Well drained soil

Moist Soil

Full sun


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Summary

Rhus virens is an evergreen shrub with a rounded form and spreading branches; it can grow up to 3.5 metres tall. The lower branches often touch the ground[149 ]. Although an evergreen, the leaves easily turn a maroon colour with the onset of cold in the winter and then fall just before the new leaves appear in spring[423 ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine, and source of materials. Evergreen sumac produces sweet-tart fruits ideal for refreshing drinks, much like other sumac species. It’s a good but less reliable wild food in the Southwest, with productivity varying by rainfall. Despite its unpredictability, it remains a useful native plant and a traditional food resource. There has been considerable uncertainty amongst botanists as to the best way of treating the genus Rhus, with some viewing it in a strict sense as comprising around 35 species and electing to separate the other species into several distinct genera, whilst others prefer to view the genus in a looser sense being comprised of perhaps 250 species grouped into several subgenera. The genus is treated here in its strict sense, with many other species that have at times been included here being moved to the genera Cotinus, Searsia and Toxicodendron.

Physical Characteristics

Rhus virens is an evergreen Tree growing to 3.5 m (11ft) by 3.5 m (11ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms: Schmaltzia virens (Lindh. ex A.Gray) Small. Accepted Infraspecifics: R. virens var. australis B.L.Turner R. virens var. virens

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[149 ]. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[149 ]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. The individual, subglobose fruits are quite small, around 8 - 10mm long and with very little flesh, but they are produced in clusters and are easily harvested[149 , K ]. Like other edible sumacs, evergreen sumac produces small red to reddish-brown, hairy fruits (drupes). These hairs can be irritating if eaten directly, so the fruits are best used to make beverages such as “sumac lemonade” (also called rhus-ade). The ripe fruits are soaked in cold water to release their sweet-tart flavor, then strained to remove hairs and seeds. Avoid sumacs with white, smooth fruits, as those are poisonous [2-3]. Food Potential: Fruits: Thin-fleshed but pleasantly sweet and tart. Best soaked in water for drinks, sometimes eaten fresh in small amounts [2-3].

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.

The leaves are used in domestic medicine for relieving asthma[227 ]. 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

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 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 ]. Native Americans historically used leaves, bark, and stems of sumacs for medicine, tobacco flavoring, and basket-making, though fruits are the main edible part [2-3].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Rhus virens is native to warm temperate to tropical, semi-arid regions of southern N. America, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,250 metres. It requires hot summers if it is to thrive and is unlikely to withstand any more than light frosts with occasional temperatures down to around -5 to 8°c[K ]. The young growth in spring is susceptible to cold and can be damaged by late frosts. Succeeds in a well-drained, fertile soil in full sun[11, 200 ]. Established plants are drought-tolerant. 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 ]. A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required. Habitat & Range: Evergreen sumac grows from southeastern Arizona to western Texas and extends into northern Mexico. Like littleleaf sumac (R. microphylla), it responds to rainfall, sometimes producing more than one crop per year. Fruits generally ripen from late summer into autumn. USDA Hardiness Zone: 7–10. Weed Potential: Low – native, non-invasive, and typically restricted to its regional desert-mountain habitats.

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 ]. 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, mid summer 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

Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens Lindh. ex A. Gray var. choriophylla)

Native Range

Native to: Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, New Mexico, 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.

Low – native, non-invasive, and typically restricted to its regional desert-mountain habitats.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern.

Related Plants

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	M	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 toxicodendron	Eastern Poison Oak	Shrub	0.6	6-9		LMH	N	DM	0	2	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.

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Author

Lindh. ex A.Gray

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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