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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Rhus diversiloba is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. 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 moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Toxicodendron diversilobum. (Torr.&Gray.)Greene.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Oil
Edible Uses: Oil
None known
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
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Antidote Contraceptive Eczema Ophthalmic Warts
Western poison oak was employed medicinally by some native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat various complaints[257]. In view of the potential toxicity of the plant, extreme caution is advised in any use of it. See the notes above on toxicity. A leaf has been swallowed in the spring as a contraceptive[257]. A tincture of the fresh leaves has been used in the treatment of eczema and skin diseases[4]. It is also used in the treatment of warts, ringworm etc[92]. A poultice of the fresh leaves has been applied to rattlesnake bites[257]. The leaf buds have been eaten in the spring in order to obtain immunity from the plant poisons[257] A moxa of the plant has been used in the treatment of warts and ringworm[257]. The juice of the plant has been used as a treatment for warts[257]. An infusion of the dried roots has been taken in order to give immunity against any further poisoning[257]. A decoction of the roots has been used as drops in the eyes to heal tiny sores inside the eyelids and to improve vision[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Basketry Dye Ink Mordant Oil
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 supple stems are used as the warp in basket making[92]. Slender stems are used as circular withes in basket making[257]. An excellent black dye is obtained by exposing the sap to air[92].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[200]. Plants do not require a rich soil[11]. 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]. This species is closely related to R. toxicodendron[1]. 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]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
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]. 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: Canada (British Columbia (southwest)), United States (Oregon (west), Washington (west), California (w. coast, w. of Sierras)), Mexico (Baja California (Norte))
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
|
| 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 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.
Expert comment
Author
Torr.&A.Gray.
Botanical References
1171200
Links / References
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