Rhus spp
Lemonade Berry, Sugar Bush
Rhus spp
CA Native, Shrub, Tree
Care:
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Low
Well Drained
Look:
Medium
size
Green
leaves
Pink
flowers
White
flowers
California Native
Lemonade Berry, Sugar Bush
Rhus spp
CA Native, Shrub, Tree
Care:
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Low
Well Drained
Look:
Medium
size
Green
leaves
Pink
flowers
White
flowers
Diverse group of resilient shrubs and trees, including several that are native to California, that provide form, foliage, and habitat value.
- Lemonade berry (R. integrifolia, 4-20‘ x 4-20’) is native to coastal Southern California and Baja California. This evergreen shrub provides white-to-pink clusters of flowers in late winter and early spring followed by sticky, reddish fruits. Lemonade berry is more suitable for coastal climates, whereas sugar bush will also grow in hotter areas.
- Sugar bush (R. ovata, 4-10’ x 4-10’) is native to dry slopes away from the coast in Southern California and Baja California. Similar to lemonade berry with more reddish flowers and leaves that are often folded down the center.
- African sumac (R. lancea, 15-25’ x 20-30’) is an evergreen tree from South Africa with willow-like leaves and graceful weeping habit.
Note: The infamous poison oak was previously classified within the Rhus genus, but has since been reclassified to the more appropriate sounding Toxicodendron diversilobum.