Rhus trilobata

Rhus trilobata Nutt.

by Trevor Streng, Native Plants Class Summer 2004
Common names: Skunkbush, squaw bush, squaw berry, lemonade sumac.
Family: Anacardiaceae
Synonymy:
Etymology:

Identification
Growth form: Herbaceous perennial, shrub 2-7 feet high (4).
Roots: Roots deep and extensively branched, with woody, shallow, and spreading rhizomes, sometimes connecting shrubs more than 9 m apart; sprouts arising from rhizomes and root crown (4).
Stem: Stems are numerous, slender, woody, and very branched (4).
Leaves: Deeply lobed to compound, deciduous, thin, flat, petiole 5-15 mm, leaflets in 3's (1). Leaves alternate, appearing after the flowers, green above and pale colored beneath and ill scented when crushed (4).
Inflorescence/flowers: Sepals yellow green to reddish, petals generally yellow (1).
Fruit: Berry-like, somewhat globed shaped, ¼ inches in diameter, bright orange-red, sticky, hairy, numerous in dense clusters (4).
Similar species: Confused with noxious relative Poison Oak (1), resembles R. aromatica

Ecology
Life history: Herbaceous perennial
Native/Introduced: Native
Photosynthetic pathway:
Phenology: In Arizona blooms yellow from March-June (2).
Distribution: Common shrub in pinion-juniper woodlands from Alberta to Illinois, north Mexico, California, and southern Oregon (1, 4). Found on brushy slopes, washes, scrublands, and along streams from 2,500-7,500 feet (1).

Uses
Human: Skunkbush fruits were used by Native Americans used fruits to prepare refreshing, lemonade like drink as well as a mordant in dyes (2). Pliable young stems were woven with grass stems into durable baskets that would hold water. The leaves are said to have been smoked by the Comanche (3, 4). All Arizona species are commonly used as ornamentals (2).

References
1. Hickman, James C. 1993. The Jepsen Manual - Higher Plants of California. University of California Press.

2. Raven, Peter H. 1996. Native Shrubs of Southern California. University of California Press.

3. "Skunkbush" ScienceViews.com< http://scienceviews.com/plants/skunkbush.html> [Accessed June 13, 2004].

5. United States Department of Agriculture. 1988. Range Plant Handbook. Dovers Publication, Inc.

Rhus trilobata Nutt. by Trevor Streng, Native Plants Class Summer 2004 Common names: Skunkbush, squaw bush, squaw berry, lemonade sumac. Family: Anacardiaceae Synonymy: Etymology: Identification Growth form: Herbaceous perennial, shrub 2-7 feet high (4). Roots: Roots deep and extensively branched, with woody, shallow, and spreading rhizomes, sometimes connecting shrubs more than 9 m apart; sprouts arising from rhizomes and root crown (4). Stem: Stems are numerous, slender, woody, and very branched (4). Leaves: Deeply lobed to compound, deciduous, thin, flat, petiole 5-15 mm, leaflets in 3's (1). Leaves alternate, appearing after the flowers, green above and pale colored beneath and ill scented when crushed (4). Inflorescence/flowers: Sepals yellow green to reddish, petals generally yellow (1). Fruit: Berry-like, somewhat globed shaped, ¼ inches in diameter, bright orange-red, sticky, hairy, numerous in dense clusters (4). Similar species: Confused with noxious relative Poison Oak (1), resembles R. aromatica Ecology Life history: Herbaceous perennial Native/Introduced: Native Photosynthetic pathway: Phenology: In Arizona blooms yellow from March-June (2). Distribution: Common shrub in pinion-juniper woodlands from Alberta to Illinois, north Mexico, California, and southern Oregon (1, 4). Found on brushy slopes, washes, scrublands, and along streams from 2,500-7,500 feet (1). Uses Human: Skunkbush fruits were used by Native Americans used fruits to prepare refreshing, lemonade like drink as well as a mordant in dyes (2). Pliable young stems were woven with grass stems into durable baskets that would hold water. The leaves are said to have been smoked by the Comanche (3, 4). All Arizona species are commonly used as ornamentals (2). References 1. Hickman, James C. 1993. The Jepsen Manual - Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. 2. Raven, Peter H. 1996. Native Shrubs of Southern California. University of California Press. 3. "Skunkbush" ScienceViews.com< http://scienceviews.com/plants/skunkbush.html> [Accessed June 13, 2004]. 5. United States Department of Agriculture. 1988. Range Plant Handbook. Dovers Publication, Inc.