There has been considerable uncertainty amongst botanists as to the best way of treating the genus Rhus, with some viewing it in a strict sense as comprising of around 35 species and electing to separate the other species into several distinct genera; whilst others prefer to view the genus in a looser sense being comprised of perhaps 250 species grouped into several subgenera. The genus is treated here in its strict sense, with many other species that have at times been included here being moved to the genera Cotinus, Searsia and Toxicodendron.

Common Name: Stag's Horn Sumach

General Information

Rhus typhina is a deciduous shrub or a small tree with an open crown and a short bole; it can grow up to 9 metres tall. The plant has a spreading root system and can produce suckers freely, often forming large, dense colonies[, ].
A multipurpose species, the plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland, and is also often grown as an ornamental, particularly ornamental forms that are less likely to produce suckers[]..
Rhus typhina is widespread and broadly occurs in disturbed sites, hence the population is considered to be large and stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].
Rhus typhina thrives in a variety of habitats, including disturbed sites, such as old field margins, roadsides, and fence rows. It also grows singly or in large colonies on the edge of wooded areas or more commonly on dry rocky soil along ditch banks and abandoned fields. It sprouts easily and grows rapidly, which can eliminate or reduce the abundance of many other species that cannot persist in the shade it creates. For this reason it has been identified as a weed or invasive in the USA and in the Czech Republic[].

Known Hazards

The genus Rhus is being treated in its strict sense here, so it excludes the many species with highly toxic and irritant sap (these are included in Toxicodendron). Although the two genera are very similar, it is relatively simple to distinguish which is which, the poisonous species (Toxicodendron) have axillary panicles and smooth fruits whilst non-poisonous species (Rhus) have compound terminal panicles and fruits covered with acid crimson hairs[, ].
Whilst the genus Rhus in this treatment is generally seen as having a non-toxic sap there are some suggestions that the sap of some species in the genus (including this one) can cause a skin rash in susceptible people.

Botanical References

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Range

Eastern N. America - Ontario to Quebec, south to Mississippi and Georgia

Habitat

Usually found in upland sites on rich soils, but it is also found in gravel and sandy nutrient-poor soils. It grows by streams and swamps, along roadsides, railway embankments and edges of woods[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Rhus typhina is a very cold-hardy plant, when fully dormant it can tolerate temperatures down to at least -25°c[]. However, the young growth in spring is more sensitive and can be damaged by late frosts. It can tolerate semi-arid climates with mean annual rainfall as low as 300mm, though it prefers moister climates with ainfall to 1,200mm or more[].
Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun or partial shade[, , ]. Tolerates poor soils[, ]. Succeeds in dry soils and is drought resistant once it is established[]. A fairly wind hardy plant, though the branches are brittle and can be broken off in very high winds[, ]. Tolerates a pH range from 4.5 - 7.2[]. The plant is tolerant of atmospheric pollution in built-up areas[].
A fast growing but short-lived tree[].
The tree has a shallow, wide-spreading root system and can sucker freely, forming thickets and becoming quite anti-social when grown in small areas[, ].
Single-stem plants are short-lived in cultivation, but if the plants are coppiced regularly and allowed to form thickets, then they will live longer and also be more ornamental with larger leaves[]. Any coppicing is best carried out in early spring[].
A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[]. It is susceptible to coral spot fungus[] but is notably resistant to honey fungus[, ]. It transplants easily[].
This is a very good bee plant, the flowers producing an abundance of pollen and nectar[].
There is some doubt over the validity of this name and the earlier R. hirta. [L.] has been proposed as the correct name. However, it seems likely that R. typhina will be retained because it is so well known[].
This species is closely related to and hybridizes with R. glabra[].
Many of the species in this genus are highly toxic and can also cause severe irritation to the skin of some people, whilst other species such as this one are not poisonous. It is relatively simple to distinguish which is which, the poisonous species have axillary panicles and smooth fruits whilst non-poisonous species have compound terminal panicles and fruits covered with acid crimson hairs[, ]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - cooked[, ]. A very sour flavour, they are used in pies[]. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[, , 95. 101, , ]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. Individual drupes are rather small - they are around 6mm in diameter[]. However, they are produced on fairly large panicles and so are easily harvested.

Medicinal

Stag's horn sumach was often employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its astringent qualities[]. It is little used in modern herbalism. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

The bark is antiseptic, astringent, galactogogue and tonic[, ]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, fevers, piles, general debility, uterine prolapse etc[, ]. An infusion is also said to greatly increase the milk flow of a nursing mother - small pieces of the wood were also eaten for this purpose[].
The inner bark is said to be a valuable remedy for piles[].

The roots are astringent, blood purifier, diuretic and emetic[]. An infusion of the roots, combined with purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has been used in the treatment of venereal disease[]. A poultice of the roots has been used to treat boils[].

The leaves are astringent. They have been used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea and stomatosis[].

An infusion of the fruits has been used as a tonic to improve the appetite and as a treatment for diarrhoea[]. The berries are astringent and blood purifier[]. They were chewed as a remedy for bed-wetting[, ]. A tea made from the berries has been used to treat sore throats[].

The flowers are astringent and stomachic. An infusion has been used to treat stomach pains[].

The sap has been applied externally as a treatment of warts[]. Some caution is advised here since the sap can cause a rash on many people[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has an extensive root system and is planted as a windbreak screen and to prevent soil erosion, being particularly useful on dry slopes and in poorer soils[, ].
The plant has an extensive, suckering root system, is able to grow in poor soils and in disturbed areas; it is an excellent pioneer species that can be used for restoring native woodlan and can also be grown on mine-waste sitesd[, , ].
The flowers are a good forage for bees[].

Other Uses

The leaves are rich in tannin, up to 48% has been obtained in a controlled plantation[]. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[, ]. The bark, especially the root bark, and the fruits are also very rich in tannin[, , ].

A yellow dye can be obtained from the roots[].
An orange dye can be obtained from the inner bark and central pith of the stem, mixed with bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)[].
A black ink can be made by boiling the leaves and the fruit[].

An oil is extracted from the seeds[]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[].

Pipes are made from the young shoots and are used for drawing the sap of sugar maples (Acer spp)[]. They are also used as flutes[].

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin protector and conditioner[].

The wood is soft, light in weight, brittle, coarse grained[, ]. It weighs 27lb per cubic foot[]. Of no commercial value, though it is sometimes used as a rough construction wood or is employed in turning and for handicrafts[, ].

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[]. This soak water can be drunk and has a delicious lemon-flavour. The stored seed also needs hot water treatment and can be sown in early spring in a cold frame[]. 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[].
Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[, ].
Suckers in late autumn to winter[].