Herb latin name: Rhus trichocarpa


Family: Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family, Sumac Family)



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Tree

Height:
6 m
(20 feet)

Flowering:
June


Scent:
Scented
Tree

Habitat of Rhus trichocarpa:

Hills and mountains all over Japan.

Other uses of the herb:

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. The leaves are rich in tannin. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant.

Propagation of Rhus trichocarpa:

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. 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, July/August 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.

Cultivation of the herb:

Hills and mountains all over Japan.

Medicinal use of Rhus trichocarpa:

None known

Known hazards of Rhus trichocarpa:

This plant contains toxic substances that can cause severe irritation to some people.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.