Rhus copallinum

Last updated

Rhus copallinum
Rhus copallinum.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Rhus
Species:
R. copallinum
Binomial name
Rhus copallinum
L.
Varieties

R. c. var. copallinum
R. c. var. latifoliaEngl.
R. c. var. leucantha(Jacq.) DC.

Contents

Rhus copallinum range map 3.png
Native range of Rhus copallinum
var. copallinum (green) &
var. latifolia (blue)
Synonyms

Rhus copallina

Rhus copallinum (Rhus copallina is also used, but this is not consistent with the rules of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy), [3] [4] the winged sumac, [5] shining sumac, dwarf sumac or flameleaf sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) that is native to eastern North America. It is a deciduous tree growing to 3.5–5.5 metres (11–18 ft) tall and an equal spread with a rounded crown. A 5-year-old sapling will stand about 2.5 metres (8.2 ft).

Description

Shining sumac at Illinois State University ShiningSumac1.JPG
Shining sumac at Illinois State University
Trunk of a shining sumac ShiningSumac2.JPG
Trunk of a shining sumac
Shining sumac berries Winged Sumac Berries.jpg
Shining sumac berries

Shining sumac is often cultivated, where it is well-suited to natural and informal landscapes because it has underground runners which spread to provide dense, shrubby cover for birds and wildlife. [6] This species is valued for ornamental planting because of its lustrous dark green foliage which turns a brilliant orange-red in fall. The fall color display is frequently enjoyed along interstate highways, as the plant readily colonizes these and other disturbed sites. [6] The tiny, greenish-yellow flowers, borne in compact, terminal panicles, are followed by showy red clusters of berries which persist into the winter and attract wildlife.

The flowers are yellow, flowering in the summer. The fruit attracts birds with no significant litter problem, is persistent on the tree, and is showy.

The bark is thin and easily damaged from mechanical impact; branches droop as the tree grows, and will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy; routinely grown with, or trainable to be grown with, multiple trunks. The tree wants to grow with several trunks, but can be trained to grow with a single trunk. It has no thorns.[ citation needed ]

Its leaves are alternate [7] and pinnately compound. [7] [8] The leaflets are borne on alate rachis that give the plant one of its common names: "winged sumac". [9]

Taxonomy

Rhus copallinum belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. [10] This species was named by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum . [11] There are multiple recognized subspecies of Rhus copallium including Rhus copallinum L. var. copallinum, Rhus copallinum L. var. latifolia Engl., Rhus copallinum var. lanceolata Gray and Rhus copallinum L. var. leucantha (Jacq.) DC. [10] [6] The lecotype is located in the British Museum. [12]

Distribution and habitat

Rhus copallinum extends from the Coastal Plain of Florida to Ontario, Canada. [13] Rhus copallinum extends as far west as Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas. [14] (The R. copallinum var. lanceolata is also found in parts of Mexico. [15] ) This species is found in many different ecosystems such as Longleaf-slash pine, Loblolly- shortleaf pine, Oak-pine, Oak-hickory, and Oak-gum-cypress. [16] R. copallinum is found in many plant associations, but does not indicate the presence of a specific habitat. [16] This species grows best in full sunlight and well-drained soils, but is resistant to the effects of pollution, drought, heavy pruning, compacted soil, and transplanting. [13] Additionally, once established, it is difficult to remove from an area. It is also known to be in competition with young pines and other hardwoods in multiple habitats. [13]

Cultivation and uses

The tree can be planted in a container or above-ground planter. It has been recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway, as well as for land reclamation. Rhus copallinum can tolerate exposure to salt spray in maritime forests and coastal grasslands; it can grow in serpentine soil and shallow, rocky soil. [17] Rhus copallinum tolerates soil pH ranging from 5.3 to 7.5, requires between 28 and 60 millimeters of water, and can survive a minimum temperature of -28 °F. [14] There are male and female Rhus copallium shrubs: both are needed for reproduction. [18]

The tree grows in full sun or part shade. [17] Soil tolerances include clay, loam, sand, slightly alkaline, acidic, and well-drained soil. Its drought tolerance is high. [19]

The somewhat sour berrylike fruits are edible and rich in vitamin A. [20] They are eaten by wildlife and can be made into a lemonade-like drink. Additionally, deer browse the twigs of the species. [21] The leaves make up part of the diets of captive Coquerel's sifakas (lemurs). [22]

Rhus copallinum also has many medicinal uses. [23] The bark can be used to treat diarrhea and menorrhagia and also has a strong effect on the female hormonal system. [23] It was often used to help with the symptoms of menopause. Additionally, tea made from the fruit and bark can be used externally to treat oozing sores, burns, and blisters. [23] The berry tea is prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon of dried fruit with every 8 ounces of water used for 30 minutes. The bark tea uses a half teaspoon for every 8 ounces of water, requires a decoct of 15 minutes, and is then steeped for 1 hour. [23]

Fruit

The fruit of Rhus copallinum was found to contain twelve compounds including a new galloyl derivative. [24] The fruit are not good sources of protein, fat, or calcium, but contain large amounts of tannins. [25] Fruits were used by Native Americans to treat mouth sores and dysentery. [13] Native Americans also added it to drinking water for the lemony taste. [16] It was also made into a tea that was used to treat urinary tract infections, gingivitis, ulcerated mucous membranes, thrush, and apthous stomatata. [23] Rhus copallinum fruits ripen between the autumn months of August and October and last through winter. [13]

Fire and germination

Rhus copallinum is adapted to fire and seed germination increases with the heat from fire. [26] [16] Optimal germination of Rhus copallinum occurs at 90 °C. [27] Fire eliminates the aboveground parts of R. copallinum allowing the root canals to be stimulated to increase stem production. [16] The presence of burning also affects the leaf symmetry of Rhus copallinum. [28] The seeds have also been known to germinate at high rates (75%) when soaked in sulfuric acid at room temperature. [13]

Conservation status

The conservation status of Rhus copallinum is secure in New York, Pennsylvania, West Viriginia, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. It is apparently secure in Ontario, Canada. There is no status rank available for the rest of the eastern seaboard and it is presumed to be possibly extirpated in Iowa. [29]

Related Research Articles

<i>Toxicodendron radicans</i> Species of plant

Toxicodendron radicans, commonly known as eastern poison ivy or poison ivy, is an allergenic flowering plant that occurs in Asia and eastern North America. The species is well known for causing urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, an itchy, irritating, and sometimes painful rash, in most people who touch it. The rash is caused by urushiol, a clear liquid compound in the plant's sap. The species is variable in its appearance and habit, and despite its common name, it is not a true ivy (Hedera), but rather a member of the cashew and pistachio family (Anacardiaceae). T. radicans is commonly eaten by many animals and the seeds are consumed by birds, but poison ivy is most often thought of as an unwelcome weed. It is a different species from western poison ivy, T. rydbergii, which has similar effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sumac</span> Related species of plants in the family Anacardiaceae

Sumac or sumach is any of about 35 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout every continent except Antarctica and South America. Sumac is used as a spice, as a dye, and in medicine.

<i>Quercus muehlenbergii</i> Species of oak tree

Quercus muehlenbergii, the chinquapinoak, is a deciduous species of tree in the white oak group. The species was often called Quercus acuminata in older literature. Quercus muehlenbergii is native to eastern and central North America. It ranges from Vermont to Minnesota, south to the Florida panhandle, and west to New Mexico in the United States. In Canada it is only found in southern Ontario, and in Mexico it ranges from Coahuila south to Hidalgo.

<i>Betula nigra</i> Species of birch

Betula nigra, the black birch, river birch or water birch, is a species of birch native to the Eastern United States from New Hampshire west to southern Minnesota, and south to northern Florida and west to Texas. It is one of the few heat-tolerant birches in a family of mostly cold-weather trees which do not thrive in USDA Zone 6 and up. B. nigra commonly occurs in floodplains and swamps.

<i>Betula alleghaniensis</i> Species of flowering plant in the birch family Betulaceae

Betula alleghaniensis, the yellow birch, golden birch, or swamp birch, is a large tree and an important lumber species of birch native to northeastern North America. Its vernacular names refer to the golden color of the tree's bark. In the past its scientific name was Betula lutea, the yellow birch.

<i>Toxicodendron vernix</i> Species of plant

Toxicodendron vernix, commonly known as poison sumac, or swamp-sumach, is a woody shrub or small tree growing to 9 metres (30 feet) tall. It was previously known as Rhus vernix. This plant is also known as thunderwood, particularly where it occurs in the southern United States.

<i>Rhus typhina</i> Species of flowering plant

Rhus typhina, the staghorn sumac, is a species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae, native to eastern North America. It is primarily found in southeastern Canada, the northeastern and midwestern United States, and the Appalachian Mountains, but it is widely cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate world. It is an invasive species in some parts of the world.

<i>Toxicodendron pubescens</i> Eastern poison oak

Toxicodendron pubescens, commonly known as Atlantic poison oak, or eastern poison oak, is an upright shrub which can cause contact dermatitis for most people.

<i>Rhus integrifolia</i> Species of shrub

Rhus integrifolia, also known as lemonade sumac, lemonade berry, or lemonadeberry, is a shrub to small tree. It is native to the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges and the South Coast regions of Southern California. This extends from Santa Barbara County and the Channel Islands to San Diego County and extending into north-central Pacific coastal Baja California and its offshore islands such as Cedros Island.

<i>Rhus ovata</i> Species of tree

Rhus ovata, commonly known as sugar bush or sugar sumac, is a shrub or small tree found growing in the canyons and slopes of the chaparral and related ecosystems in Southern California, Arizona, Baja California and Baja California Sur. It is a long lived-plant, up to 100 years, and has dense evergreen foliage that make it conspicuous. It is closely related to and hybridizes with the lemonade sumac.

<i>Rhus trilobata</i> Species of shrub

Rhus trilobata is a shrub in the sumac genus (Rhus) with the common names skunkbush sumac, sourberry, skunkbush, and three-leaf sumac. It is native to the western half of Canada and the Western United States, from the Great Plains to California and south through Arizona extending into northern Mexico. It can be found from deserts to mountain peaks up to about 7,000 feet (2,100 m) in elevation.

<i>Malosma</i> Genus of trees

Malosma is a plant genus which contains only a single species, Malosma laurina, with the common names laurel sumac and lentisco (Spanish). Malosma laurina is found along the southern California and Baja California coasts of the Pacific Ocean.

<i>Carya tomentosa</i> Species of hickory tree

Carya tomentosa, commonly known as mockernut hickory, mockernut, white hickory, whiteheart hickory, hognut, bullnut, is a species of tree in the walnut family Juglandaceae. The most abundant of the hickories, and common in the eastern half of the United States, it is long lived, sometimes reaching the age of 500 years. A straight-growing hickory, a high percentage of its wood is used for products where strength, hardness, and flexibility are needed. The wood makes excellent fuel wood, as well. The leaves turn yellow in Autumn.

<i>Euonymus americanus</i> Species of flowering plant

Euonymus americanus is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae. Common names include strawberry bush, American strawberry bush, bursting-heart, hearts-a-bustin, and hearts-bustin'-with-love. It is native to the eastern United States, its distribution extending as far west as Texas. It has also been recorded in Ontario.

<i>Ximenia americana</i> Species of tree

Ximenia americana, commonly known as tallow wood, hog plum, yellow plum, sea lemon, or pi'ut (Chamorro), is bush-forming shrub/small tree; a species from the Ximenia genus in the Olacaceae family. It is mainly found in the tropics, ranging from Africa, India and southeast Asia, to Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, West Indies, Central, North and South America. It is especially common in Africa and South America. It is not domesticated so it is only found occurring in the wild.

<i>Rhus glabra</i> Species of flowering plant

Rhus glabra, the smooth sumac, is a species of sumac in the family Anacardiaceae, native to North America, from southern Quebec west to southern British Columbia in Canada, and south to northern Florida and Arizona in the United States and Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico.

<i>Rhus aromatica</i> Species of shrub

Rhus aromatica, the fragrant sumac, is a deciduous shrub in the family Anacardiaceae native to North America. It is found in southern Canada and nearly all of the lower 48 states except peninsular Florida.

<i>Rhus coriaria</i> Species of shrub

Rhus coriaria, commonly called Sicilian sumac, tanner's sumach, or elm-leaved sumach, is a deciduous shrub to small tree in the cashew family Anacardiaceae. It is native to southern Europe and western Asia. The dried fruits are used as a spice, particularly in combination with other spices in the mixture called za'atar.

<i>Alnus serrulata</i> Species of tree

Alnus serrulata, the hazel alder or smooth alder, is a thicket-forming shrub in the family Betulaceae. It is native to eastern North America and can be found from western Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick south to Florida and Texas.

<i>Rhus michauxii</i> Species of flowering plant

Rhus michauxii is a rare species of flowering plant in the cashew family known by the common names false poison sumac and Michaux's sumac. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, where it can be found in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. It is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat and by barriers to reproduction. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

References

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