Arizona Landscaping Plants And Flowers
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Trees

African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea

African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea

African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea	African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea
African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea	African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea
African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea	African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea
African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea	African Sumac Tree, Rhus lancea

African Sumac Tree Rhus lancea, Cashew Family: ( Anacardiaceae ), African Sumac Tree. Also called: . The African sumac is a small, slow growing, evergreen tree from South Africa with long slender leaves and multiple trunks. Has spreading habit with weeping branches. It is dioecious, only the female trees carry the fruits. It goes by the name Karee. Many tiny green flowers are borne in many- flowered panicles and they lack showy petals. Pollination is affected mostly by the wind, much to the chagrin of allergy sufferers. A sweet perfume is released into the air by these flowers. Some people may develop dermatitis upon contact with the skin. Even the pollen may harm some people. These trees produce viable seed and volunteers can often be found growing in hedgerows and in desert washes near urban environments. Potentially this could allow African Sumac to become another unwanted exotic invasive in native Sonoran Desert habitat. The fruit is edible, and has been used to make a beer. Sensitive to Texas root rot. Moderate maintance with seed and flower drop on the female trees. Constant removal of basal suckers. Yearly thinning required. Height: To 24 feet. Spread may reach 24+ feet. Flowers: 6 inch long panicles (clusters) of inconspicuous Whitish - green flowers in sprays. Flowering Time: Mid January - February. Leaves: Hairless, palmately compound, shiny, dark green, leaves with three lance-shaped leaflets, 2 to 4 inches long . Bark: Gray to light brown furrowed into narrow, firm ridges and darkens with age. Showing orange underlayer. Fruit: Covered with a thin glossy brownish layer when ripe. Inside is a black seed.. Found: Native of Southern Africa. Now found in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including USA. Elevation: 850 to 1,600 Feet. Habitat: Landscaping. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken at Sun City. January 16, 2006.