Search California Native Plants

5 total results

Fragrant Sumac

Rhus aromatica

Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is a shrub in the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) family; it has several other common names, including lemonade sumac. It was formerly classified as Rhus trilobata; some sources still refer to it that way.

It is native to western North America. It occurs in many parts of California, including the northern Coast Ranges, Sierra foothills, and southern coastal mountains. It can be found from deserts to mountain peaks up to about 7,000 feet in elevation.

The pale yellow flowers are followed by a red, fleshy drupe that has a sticky coating, similar to lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia). This species closely resembles other members of the genus that have leaves with three "leaflets" ("trifoliate" leaves), including poison oak. People with sensitivity to poison oak should use caution around fragrant sumac.

The shape of the leaflets and the habit of the shrub make this species, like some other Rhus species, resemble small-leafed oaks (Quercus). The plant is deciduous and exhibits good fall color.

skunk bush

Rhus aromatica var. trilobata

Native deciduous shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall with straight stems coming up from the ground and spreading by roots.

Small yellow blooms in spring followed by red "sour" berries in summer attract wildlife. Edible berries used by Native peoples to make a 'lemonade' drink and eaten with the addition of salt. They use the stems for baby cradle boards and basketry. Crushed leaves are more pungent (more skunklike), less fragrant, than those of Rhus aromatica.

Nice fall color, drought tolerant. Plant in full sun or light shade. Favors slopes and washes. Will grow to 4000 ft elevation.

Formerly considered its own species (Rhus trilobata), scientific sources now more commonly refer to it as Rhus aromatica var. trilobata.

Lemonade Berry

Rhus integrifolia

Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It tends to grow slowly at first, then fast to 10 feet to 30 feet tall. Its form is upright but it can sprawl. However, it takes pruning very well and may be pruned, or sheared as a hedge, at any time of year. The ;eaves are leathery, with a waxy appearance above and a paler tone below. The pink flowers, which appear from February to May, are small but noticeable. The fruit is dark red, block-shaped and sticky, and has a tart flavor which gives the plant its name.

Lemonade berry is great for slopes. It is easy to grow and very hardy, becoming nearly indestructible once established. At that point it will stay green and healthy-looking year round without any supplementary summer water. It prefers sun or part sun and well-draining soil.

Lemonade berry is very closely related to Sugar Bush. A good rule of thumb for landscaping applications is within 5-10 miles of the coast, lemonade berry is a better choice. More inland, sugar bush does better.

This is an important wildlife plant. The berries are a significant food source for birds and small mammals, and the thick sprawling form provides excellent animal shelter. It hosts almost a dozen species of butterfly and moth.

Lemonade Berry Hybrid

Rhus integrifolia x ovata

Sugar Bush

Rhus ovata

Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata) is an evergreen shrub to small tree that grows in chaparral in dry canyons and slopes below 4300 feet in southern California, Arizona and Baja California. In the southern part of its range (in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties), Sugar Bush generally grows in the foothills and mountains, and the closely related Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) grows closer to the coast.

It has a rounded appearance, often growing wider than tall. Sugar Bush has thick,breddish twigs. Its foliage consists of dark-green, leathery, ovate leaves that are folded along the midrib. The leaf arrangement is alternate.

Its flower clusters, which occur at the ends of branches, consist of small, five-petaled flowers that appear to be pink but upon closer examination actually have white to pink petals with red sepals. Additionally, the flowers may be either bisexual or pistillate. The fruit is a small reddish, sticky drupe, about 0.2 to 0.5 inches in diameter, that is said to be edible.

Sugar Bush is tough, easy to grow, and very fast growing once established. A 5-gallon container plant will reach 10 feet in about three years if happy.

In nature, you'll almost always see Sugar Bush on slopes, though it grows well on flat areas in garden applications. It's one of the few larger chaparral shrubs that grows well in south-facing slopes even in the drier parts of its range, and it's a great bank stabilizer. It tolerates a wide variety of soils.

It grows fastest with full sun, just a little slower in part shade. It tolerates summer water up to 1x per month but shouldn't need any once established. It is incredibly healthy and typically will appear green and lush through the entire dry season without any supplementary water.

The biggest downside of this plant is that it can get huge, often more than 30 feet wide, and can aggressively crowd out nearby plants. It is said to be fire resistant, especially if given supplemental water.

Sugar Bush hybridizes often with Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia). A good rule of thumb for landscaping applications is: Within 5-10 miles of the coast, Lemonade Berry is a better choice. More inland, Sugar Bush does better.

Items per page