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Anacardiaceae FAMILY

Toxicodendron radicans

Toxicodendron radicans

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

This plant contains toxic substances and skin contact with it can cause severe irritation to some people, though most wildlifr and livestock are not affected by it[1]. The sap is extremely poisonous[1]. The sap contains 3-N pentadecycatechnol. Many people are exceedingly sensitive to this, it causes a severe spreading dermatitis. The toxins only reach the skin if the plant tissues have been damaged, but even indirect contact can cause severe problems[2].

Cultivation Details

HabitDeciduous Climber
GrowthFast

Toxicodendron radicans is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[2]. It is often found in continental climates with short, warm to hot summers and long, cold to cool winters[3]. The young growth in spring is cold-sensitive and can be damaged by late frosts. Mean annual precipitation can range from 390 - 1,450mm, and it experiences between 300 - 1,880mm of snowfall over most of its range[3]. Species in this genus generally succeed in a well-drained fertile or moderately fertile soil in full sun or light shade[1, 2]. This species is able to tolerate a wide range of conditions in the wild, including dry soils, poorly-drained clays with gleying, well-drained silts and loamy sands[3]. Plants are often found in acid soils, where the pH can be as low as 3.6, they also succeed in moderately alkaline soils with a pH around 8[3]. A fast-growing but short-lived species in the wild[4]. Plants take 3 years from seed to reach the flowering stage[3]. The plant has brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[2]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2]. A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in hot water (starting at a temperature of 80 - 90c and allowing it to cool) prior to sowing in order to leach out any germination inhibitors[2]. The stored seed also needs hot water treatment and can be sown in early spring in a cold frame[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[2]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[5, 2]. Suckers in late autumn to winter[2]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Toxicodendron+radicans>

Pollinators

Bees

References

  1. [1]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  3. [3]Fire Effects Information System — http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ ↩︎An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
  4. [4]Alternative Foods. — Sholto-Douglas. J. ↩︎Not very comprehensive, it seems more or less like a copy of earlier writings with little added.
  5. [5]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
  6. [6]Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition — Fernald. M. L. · American Book Co.; New York · 1950 · ISBN 0442222505 ↩︎A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
  7. [7]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
  8. [8]A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. — Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. · Houghton Mifflin Co. · 1990 · ISBN 0395467225 ↩︎A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
  9. [9]Native American Ethnobotany — Moerman. D. · Timber Press. Oregon. · 1998 · ISBN 0-88192-453-9 ↩︎Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
  10. [10]A Weavers Garden — Buchanan. R. · McGraw-Hill Contemporary · 1987 · ISBN 0934026289 ↩︎Covers all aspects of growing your own clothes, from fibre plants to dyes.
  11. [11]A Modern Herbal. — Grieve. · Penguin · 1984 · ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 ↩︎Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.