Rhus glabra Smooth sumach (Anacardiaceae) Deciduous shrub

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Rhus glabra
Smooth sumach
Deciduous shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Rhus glabra plant species is found in N. America - found in all 48 mainland states of USA[214] and in southern Canada. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Smooth sumach.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Rhus glabra
Common Name:  Smooth sumach
Family:  Anacardiaceae
Author:  L.

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'.

Mature Height:  3   Mature Width:  3

Habitat:  Thickets and waste ground on dry soil and by streams[4, 43, 60]. The best specimens are found in rich moist soil[149, 229].

Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 22, 46]. An acid flavour, it has been used as a substitute for lemon juice[2]. The fruit is rather small and with very little flesh, but it is produced on fairly large panicles and so is easily harvested. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[85, 95, 101, 102, 149, 159, 183]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. Root - peeled and eaten raw[161, 183]. This report should be treated with some caution due to possible toxicity[214]. Young shoots - peeled and eaten raw[183, 257]. This report should be treated with some caution due to possible toxicity[214]. The bark has been eaten as a delicacy by children[257]. This report should be treated with some caution due to possible toxicity[214].

For further Rhus glabra gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future