SUGAR BUSH

The sugar bush, a stout, evergreen shrub, is in bloom through May on dry inland slopes and foothills throughout Southern California.

A native plant, the shrub grows mostly in chaparral areas, but also can be found in woodlands away from the immediate coast.

A member of the sumac family, the sugar bush ( Rhus Ovata ) can be up to 10 feet tall. The larger specimens can be found among woodland plants along with pinon and juniper trees.

The shrub’s small, pinkish flowers bloom in dense clusters of short spikes. The dark green leaves, which are slightly folded, are ovate-shaped, leathery and up to 3 inches long. It gets its botanical name from the shape of its leaves.

A sticky, reddish fruit covered with soft hairs follows the blossoms. The fruit is used to make a sweet, lemonade-like drink.

As well as being plentiful in the wild, the sugar bush can be found in many home gardens throughout California. It is popular with landscapers as an ornamental plant because of its attractive shape and its tolerance to heat and drought.

Other members of the sumac family also found in Southern California are lemonade berry, laurel sumac, squaw bush and poison oak. Cashews and mangoes also belong to this family of plants.

All sumac family members are shrubs with resinous or milky sap and berry-like, dry or semi-fleshy seeds with hard centers.