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Rhus ovata

Accession Count: 6
Common Name: sugar bush
Family Name: Anacardiaceae
Botanical Name: Rhus ovata
Sub Species:
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Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:

Rhus ovata is a large rounded shrub or small tree growing 6-10 feet tall in chapparal communities, in canyons in foothills and mountains usually on south-facing slopes (4). It has reddish colored stems, with dark green, 3 inch long leathery, oval-shaped leaves arranged alternately along the stems (2,4). Flowers grow in terminal racemes or panicles with each flower consisting of small, 5-petaled, white flowers with red sepals. It produces a small ¼ inch red, sticky and edible drupe (4).
Compound: Rhu ova
Geographic Origin: Sonoran Desert
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: R. ovata originates from California and then has been distributed into the Sonoran Desert including parts of Arizona and Baja (2, 3).
Cultivation Notes: A very decorative plant for dry areas providing a deep green foliage that contrasts to many desert plants. Do not overwater, especially in summer and ensure good drainage (5). It has a generally slow rate of growth initially but responds to microclimates where there is extra water and light with a faster rate of growth. Protect from reflected light and heat by placing in a location where there is afternoon shade to maintain a faster growth rate (5). 
Ethnobotany: The sugar bush is valued for its pool, patio attributes. The pinkish flowers make it an attractive landscape ornamental while in ecological restoration sites, it is valuable as a bank stabilizer (4)   While some members of the sumac family produce urushiol, the compound found in poison ivy, it has not been confirmed whether the sugar bush contains this irritant (3). The small fruits are known to be pressed for their juice to make a tart beverage (3, 6). The Cahuilla people (Mojave Desert) collected sugar bush berries, ate them raw or dried (3). Medicinally, the leaves are used in an infusion to treat colds, and coughs (3) 
Height: 6 - 10 feet
Width: 11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate Growing
Grow Season: Winter
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Pink
Function: Screen
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
  1. Duffield, Mary Rose., and Warren D. Jones. Plants For Dry Climates - How To Select, Grow And Enjoy. Lane Publishing Company, 1992.
  2. ucjeps.berkeley.edu
  3. The Ethnoherbalist
  4. Calscape
  5. Garden Oracle
  6. Plants for Our Future
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Rhus ovata