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Anacardiaceae FAMILY

Rhus × pulvinata

Rhus × pulvinata

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

The genus Rhus is being treated in its strict sense here, so it excludes the many species with highly toxic and irritant sap (these are included in Toxicodendron). Although the two genera are very similar, it is relatively simple to distinguish which is which, the poisonous species (Toxicodendron) have axillary panicles and smooth fruits whilst non-poisonous species (Rhus) have compound terminal panicles and fruits covered with acid crimson hairs[ 1 Title RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Publication Author F. Chittendon. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1951 ISBN - Description Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]). , 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. ]. Whilst the genus Rhus in this treatment is generally seen as having a non-toxic sap there are some suggestions that the sap of some species in the genus (including this one) can cause a skin rash in susceptible people.

Botanical Description

Rhus x pulvinata is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3 metres tall. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It can be used in soil stabilization projects and is also grown as an ornamental.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate
Native RangeEastern N. America - .Manitoba to Ontario and Maine, south to Indiana, Ohio and South Carolina
HabitatUsually found in upland sites on rich soils, but it is also found in gravel and sandy nutrient-poor soils.