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Evergreen Sumac

Rhus virens

Other common name(s):

Tobacco Sumac, Lambrisco, Lentrisco

Family:

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Limestone Cut Plain
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

8
to
10
ft.

Spread

6
to
8
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Ornamental, hedge or screen. Growth rate moderate to rapid. Needs good drainage. Native to Limestone soils. Winter: Give lots of room to grow or prune to fit the garden space if needed. Can use as shrub or prune to tree form. Nor fertilizer needed. Drought tolerant. Do not overwater in summer. Wet soils can result in fungal infections, especially in warm temperatures. Propagation: Seed, Root cuttings.

Comments

Blooms June-November. A large evergreen shrub. Compound leaves, with 5-9 large, leather, shiny leaflets, with pointed tips. Tiny, white, Fall blooms in clusters. Fuzzy berries are good for birds and other wildlife. Rough, reddish bark. Flowers attract bees and butterflies. Young leaves browsed by mammals. Replaces Invasives: Scarlet Firethorn, Pyracantha, Large-Leaf Privet

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 300-301. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHVI3. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Rhus+virens&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=871&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=504757#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014., 9) https://gardenoracle.com/images/rhus-virens.html

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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