Skunk Bush, Basketbush, Squawbush, Three Leaf Sumac
Rhus trilobata

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Green, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Rhus trilobata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1.8

Where it is found

Foothills, canyons, slopes etc, usually on dry rocky soils and especially on limestone outcrops.

Western N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Canada, Mexico, North America, USA,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, mixed with cornmeal or made into a jam. The fruit is small with very little flesh, but it is produced in fairly large panicles and so is easily harvested. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course). The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter.

Oil: Oil

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 2

Skunk bush was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who valued it especially for its astringent qualities and used it to treat a range of complaints. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. Due to its potentially toxic nature, it should be used with some caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The fruit is analgesic, astringent and stomachic. It has been eaten as a treatment for stomach problems and grippe. The dried berries have been ground into a powder and dusted onto smallpox pustules. The fruit has been chewed as a treatment for toothache and also used as a mouthwash. A decoction of the fruit has been used as a wash to prevent the hair falling out. The leaves are astringent, diuretic, emetic and haemostatic. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of head colds. A decoction of the leaves has been drunk to induce impotency as a method of contraception. A poultice of leaves has been used to treat itches. An infusion of the bark has been used as a douche after childbirth. The bark has been chewed, and the juice swallowed, as a treatment for colds and sore gums. A decoction of the root bark has been taken to facilitate easy delivery of the placenta. The roots have been used as a deodorant. The buds have been used on the body as a medicinal deodorant and perfume.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Antipruritic: Treats itching of the skin.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Contraceptive: Prevents fertilization occurring in females.

Deodorant: Masks smells. Is this medicinal?

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.

Oxytoxic: Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Other

Rating: 3

The leaves are rich in tannin. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a black to brown dye or as a mordant. The fruits can also be used as a mordant. A yellow dye is obtained from the twigs. black dye can be obtained when the twigs are mixed with pine gum. A red-brown dye can be made from the bark and leaves. A pink-tan dye can be made from the fruit. The ashes of the plant can be used as a mordant to fix dyes. 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 roots have been used as a perfume and deodorant. The buds have been used on the body as a medicinal deodorant and perfume. The leaves have been rubbed on the body as an insect and snake repellent. Some caution should be employed here, see the notes above on toxicity. The branches are tough and slender, they are stripped of their bark and split into several strands then used in basket making.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Deodorant: A pleasant smelling plant that is used on the body to mask the human smell.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Mordant: Used for making a dye more permanent, it also affects the colour of the dye.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Hedge, Massing. Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun, but produces its best fruit when grown close to moist ground. Judging by the plants native habitat it should succeed in dry soils. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. This species is closely allied to R. aromatica. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features: North American native.

Propagating it: 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, 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-6

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

There are some suggestions that the sap of this species can cause a skin rash in susceptible people, but this has not been substantiated. See also notes in 'Cultivation Details'.

Its other names

Local names

Squawbush, Skunk bush,

Synonyms

R. aromatica trilobata. R. trilobata. Nutt. or Torr.&Gray.