Carried by 24 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Rhus trilobata is a shrub in the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) family with the common name Fragrant Sumac and several others. It was formerly classified as Rhus trilobata and some sources still refer to it that way. It is native to western North America. In California it occurs in many parts of the state 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. 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, resemble small-leafed oaks (Quercus). The plant is deciduous and exhibits good fall color.
Shrub
2 - 8 ft Tall
8 ft Wide
Mounding, Rounded
Moderate
Winter Deciduous
Cream, Yellow
Spring
Hedge
Full Sun
Low
Max 1x / week once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to -15° F
Fast
Prefers sandy soil.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0
For propagating by seed: Hot wa ter or soak in concentrated H2S04 1-3 hrs., then 2-3 mos. stratification.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 10, 14*, 15, 16, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22, 23, 24
Slopes, washes, canyons, mesas, and desert mountains
Chaparral, Creosote Bush Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland
Use with Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis), Pines (Pinus spp.), Oaks (Quercus spp.), Juniper (Juniperus spp.), and most chaparral plants
-
Likely
-
Confirmed
Green-bellied Miner Bee
Andrena chlorogaster
Bramble Green Hairstreak
Callophrys dumetorum
Gabb's Checkerspot
Chlosyne gabbii
White-lined Sphinx Moth
Hyles lineata
Canola
Brassica napus
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Plums & Prunes
Prunus