Rhus ovata Sugar bush (Anacardiaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Rhus ovata
Sugar bush
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Rhus ovata plant species is found in Southwestern N. America - California, Arizona and Mexico. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Sugar bush.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Rhus ovata
Common Name:  Sugar bush
Family:  Anacardiaceae
Author:  S.Wats.

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:  2   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Dry rocky slopes below 800 metres, usually away from the coast, in California[71, 229].

Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[161]. Slightly acid to sweet tasting[229]. The fruit is only 6 - 8mm in diameter[229] with very little flesh, but it is produced in dense racemes 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). The fruit can also be sucked for the tart juice that forms on its surface[183]. A sweetish white sap exudes from the fruit and can be used as an acid flavouring or a sugar substitute[61, 183]. The leaves are boiled to make a tea[183].

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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'.
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