Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata)

Family: Anacardiaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Rhus ovata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. 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.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet tasting. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Slightly acid to sweet tasting.; The fruit is only 6 - 8mm in diameter with very little flesh, but it is produced in dense racemes 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).

Habitat & North American Range

Dry rocky slopes below 800 metres, usually away from the coast, in California. Grows in oak woodlands and chaparral. (Zone 8)