Nepalese sumac
Rhus javanica

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows to about 8 m high. The leaves have stalks. They are divided into leaflets which are arranged opposite each other along the stalk with one at the end. These leaflets do not have stalks. They are 5-16 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. They are oblong and taper to the tip. They have coarse teeth. They are softly hairy above and smooth underneath. The flowers are small and yellow. The occur in large clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is fleshy with a stone or covering over the seed. It is round but flattened. It is red when ripe.

There are about 200 Rhus species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal plants grow between 1000-2600 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw or pickled. A salt from the fruit is used to flavour foods and to coagulate tofu. The shoots are boiled with dried fish and eaten in curry.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Amilo, Bhaki amilo, Bhakildo, Bhakimilo, Ching-ma, Deshmeel, Dhamil, Isewa, Khawmhma, Mai-kokkyin, Mu-yen, Nurude, Omoshii, Rushi, Sa-ma, Tatri, Thaksin, Thesebo, Tibru, Tsakshing, Yaseba

Synonyms

Rhus chinensis Mill.; Rhus amela D.Don; Rhus bucki-amela Roxb.; Rhus semialata Murray; Toxicodendron semialatum (Murray) Kuntze;