Plant Details

Rhus glaba

Smooth Sumach

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Rhus glaba.

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General Information

Scientific name: Rhus glaba
Also known as: Smooth Sumach

Plant Properties

Layer: Tree
Size: Small
Height: 3.00 m
Width: 3.00 m
Growth Rate: Moderate
Leaf: Deciduous

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 3-9
Soil Moisture:
Well-drained, Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Usage properties

Edible part:
Fruit, Oil, Stems, Root
Edibility:
(4)
Medicinal:
(3)
Features:
Dye, Hedge, Oil, Pioneer species, Windbreak, Wood, Bee forage

Description

Fruits of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked and have a sour taste, making them suitable as a substitute for lemon juice. The fruits are small with little pulp, but the clusters they grow on are large and easy to harvest. If the fruits are soaked in hot or cold water for 10 to 30 minutes, a refreshing drink similar to lemonade is produced. It is not recommended to boil this drink, as this releases tannins, making it too sharp in flavor. The root of the plant can be peeled and eaten raw. The young shoots can also be peeled and eaten raw. The bark of the plant is eaten by some children as a candy, but the sap can cause skin rashes in some people. Little is known about this reaction, so it is advisable to be cautious when handling this plant.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/09
End of Harvest: 31/10

Crown Data

Crown Type: Broad pyramidal
Crown Density: Dense crown