Rhus ovata (Sugar Sumac)

Beautiful year-round, Rhus ovata (Sugar Sumac) is a rounded, evergreen shrub or small tree with stout, reddish twigs clothed with large, ovate, lustrous dark green leaves, 3 in. long (7 cm), slightly folded at the midrib. The foliage alone makes it worth planting. In spring, dense white to rose-pink flower clusters appear at the branch tips on female plants. They are followed by conspicuous wine-red fruits that are attractive to birds as well as large and small mammals. Tough, easy to grow, disease resistant, very fast-growing once established, and incredibly low maintenance, Sugar Sumac is great to control erosion and slope stabilization. It also makes a handsome hedge or specimen shrub or small tree in the garden.

• Typically grows up to 4-10 ft. tall and wide (120-300 cm), but can be shorter or taller, upright or spreading.
• Full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in a variety of soils as long as they enjoy good drainage. Extremely drought tolerant. Tolerates summer water up to once per month, but should not need any once established.
• Perfect for banks and slopes (erosion control) or hedges.
• Keep an eye out for oak root fungus. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by treated seed or root cuttings.
• Native to southern California, Arizona and Baja California.

Sugar Sumac belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, also known as the cashew family. This family includes economically important, ornamental, and sometimes toxic plants:

• Mango (Mangifera indica)
• Cashew (Anacardium occidentale)
• Pistachio (Pistacia vera)
• Mastic Tree (Pistacia lentiscus)
• Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis)
• Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
• Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)
• Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans): a notorious toxic plant that can cause severe skin irritation upon contact.