Rhus lancea     
African sumac   
Anacardiaceae Family     

Form: round, single or multistemmed tree; dense canopy when young
Seasonality: evergreen
Size: 15-30ft with equal spread
Leaves: palmately compound in groups of 3, leaflets 2-3in long; shiny, dark green
Flowers: dioecious; whitish-green flowers on female plants, not ornamental
Fruit: small black seed with papery coat

easily identifiable 3-leaflet compound form of Rhus lancea leaf

Stems/Trunks: attractive, fissures in dark gray trunk reveal orange color beneath
Range/Origin: South Africa
Hardiness: damaged at 15 to 20°F

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• of residential scale
• good on patios where attractive trunk can be enjoyed
• attractive in groups

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun, reflected sun, part shade
• Water: drought tolerant once established; for best landscape quality once per week or once per 2 weeks
• Soil: well drained
• Propagation: seed
• Maintenance: moderate; seed and flower drop on female trees; removal of basal suckers

NOTES:

first introduced to landscape industry here in Tucson
susceptible to Texas root rot
pollen is allergenic

Naturalizes easily, grows as a weed throughout this region

trunk showing orange bark coloration		mature specimen of Rhus lancea

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This page was first created June 21, 2001 and last modified March 16, 2006.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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