African Sumac

Rhus Lancea
Anacardiaceae (′an·ə′kärd·ē′ās·ē′ē)
African_Sumac2_edited.mp3 | Podcast Script

Whole	Bark
Leaves	Fruit

Monocot or Dicot:

The African Sumac is a dicot tree with branching veins in its leaves. Common characteristics of dicot plants consist of two cotyledons during the embryonic stage and several pollen pores. The formation of the plants vascular bundles can also be used to distinguish between monocot and dicot plants. In the stems of dicot plants the vascular bundles form a ring while the vascular bundles in monocot stems are scattered throughout.

Size:

The African Sumac is a relatively small evergreen tree that can grow up to 24 feet tall with a spread of 24 feet.

Identifying Features:

This tree has distinctively coarse brown or dark gray bark with an orange under layer. The hairless leaves are green throughout the year and compounded in groups of three lance-shaped leaflets each 2-4 inches long. During the spring season, the sumac produces distinctive small white-green blossoms in panicles.

Location/Habitat:

As the name implies, the African Sumac is native to Southern Africa. Because of the dry and arid weather in Africa, the African Sumac can adjust and survive in almost any habitat around the world although can be damaged in areas where temperatures go below twenty degrees Fahrenheit. The sumac can now be found all around the world especially in tropical parts of the world, including the United States.

Flower/Fruit/Reproduction:

The African Sumac blooms white-green flowers throughout late January and early April, depending on the zone of the tree. The Sumac is considered dioecious, meaning there are both male and female trees but only the females carry fruits. The fruit, which is edible and used in a wide range of drinks and food, contains multiple black seeds wrapped in thin tan shells.These seeds are typically spread through the droppings of birds and other animals who eat the sumac fruit.

Water/Sun Requirements:

Due to its origins in Africa, the African Sumac requires little to no water to survive. It has excellent tolerance for heat and sun exposure and actually thrives better with more sunlight. The tree should be watered once every one or two weeks and should be given enough time to allow the soil to completely drain/dry.

Special Adaptations:

The African Sumac has developed a resistance/adaptation against drought and frost.

Other Info:

• The African Sumac is a wonderful and easy plant to take care of. Since it conforms to the area given, the plant is perfect for small residential areas such as backyards or patios. Its wide spread can also offer a great wind or shade screen.
• One minor inconvenience of the African Sumac is the tedious task of cleaning up the leaves and fruits throughout the season.

Reference Sources/Links:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumac
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhus_lancea
3. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RHLA11
4. http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=2479&account=none
5. http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Anacardiaceae/Rhus_lancea.html
6. http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week385.shtml
7. http://www.cuyamaca.net/OH170/Thumbnail_Pages/Rhus_lancea.asp
8. http://www.delange.org/AfricanSumac/AfricanSumac.htm
9. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RHUS
10.http://zipcodezoo.com/Plants/R/Rhus_lancea.asp

Created by David L. 2007