Origin
Rhus puccionii Chiov. is commonly known as the African sumac and belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. It is native to Africa and is mainly found in Eastern and Southern African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Common Names
Apart from the African sumac, Rhus puccionii Chiov. is also known by a few other common names such as Wild Rusty-leaf and Poison Ivy. The name Poison Ivy comes from the fact that this plant contains a resin called urushiol which can cause a severe reaction in some people upon contact with the skin.
Uses
The African sumac has several practical applications. It is commonly used for medicinal purposes, especially in South African traditional medicine. Its roots and leaves have been used to treat various ailments such as stomach ailments and fever. In addition to that, the fruit and bark of the plant have been used for tanning purposes.
Furthermore, this hardy plant is useful in its native regions as it can withstand drought, a common occurrence in Africa. It is also often used for landscaping and soil erosion control.
General Appearance
The African sumac is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 15 m tall. The tree has an open and rounded crown with branches that tend to droop as they grow longer. The bark is smooth and greyish-white in color, and the leaves are evergreen and have a shiny, leathery texture that is rust red in color. The flowers of this plant are small and greenish-yellow, while its fruit is reddish-brown and has a fuzzy texture on the exterior.
Light Requirements
Rhus puccionii Chiov. thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. It needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to photosynthesize properly. However, prolonged exposure to very hot afternoon sun can cause leaf scorching, so partial shade may be required in extremely hot and dry areas.
Temperature Requirements
Rhus puccionii Chiov. is adapted to hot and dry climatic conditions. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from 5°C to 45°C. The plant has moderate drought tolerance and prefers warm to hot summers with plenty of sunshine. In winter, the plant becomes dormant and can tolerate frost down to -5°C.
Soil Requirements
Rhus puccionii Chiov. requires well-drained soils with moderate fertility. It prefers soils that are slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, with a pH range of 6.0-8.0. The plant can tolerate some levels of salinity but is sensitive to waterlogging. The addition of organic matter like compost or well-aged manure can improve soil fertility and drainage, which can lead to better plant growth and development.
Cultivation Methods
Rhus puccionii Chiov. is a shrub that grows well in warm climates with a maximum altitude of up to 1500 meters. The plant prefers well-drained and sandy soils; hence, it is advised to grow it on slopes or hills. It requires minimum care and can tolerate drought conditions, making it an ideal plant for arid regions.
Propagation can be done from mature seeds, preferably collected during late summer. After collecting the seeds, they should be stored in a cool and dry place to preserve their viability. The seeds should be scarified or treated with hot water before sowing to enhance germination rates. Alternatively, stem cuttings can also be rooted during the rainy season.
Watering Needs
Rhus puccionii Chiov. requires minimal watering once it is established. However, initial watering is necessary to aid in root establishment. Watering should be done sparsely once a week during the dry periods. The plant is susceptible to root rot disease, and overwatering can worsen the condition.
Fertilization
The shrub does not require regular fertilization. However, a single application of compost or manure during early spring can boost its growth and vigor. Foliar feeding is also an option, and it should be done during the cooler periods of the day to avoid scorch damage.
Pruning
Rhus puccionii Chiov. requires minimal pruning, mainly to shape the plant or remove dead or damaged branches. It is advisable to prune during late winter or early spring before the new growth emerges. The plant produces suckers, which should be removed to prevent the shrub from spreading and occupying unwanted spaces. Gloves should be worn while pruning to avoid exposure to the toxic sap, which can cause skin irritation.
Propagation of Rhus puccionii Chiov.
Rhus puccionii Chiov. can be propagated through both sexual and asexual methods. While sexual propagation requires seeds, asexual propagation methods include layering, cuttings, and grafting.
Propagation through Seeds
Seeds of Rhus puccionii Chiov. are sown during spring in well-draining soil mixture, lightly moistened, and kept under shade. When the seeds germinate, they can be transplanted to individual pots or directly transferred to the permanent planting location.
Propagation through Layering
Layering is a natural propagation method that involves encouraging a stem to root while it is still attached to the parent plant. A small branch of Rhus puccionii Chiov. is picked and a strip of bark is removed, exposing the inner tissue. The stem is then bent towards the ground, covered with soil, and held in place using a U-shaped wire or rock. The new roots develop from the exposed stem and can be separated from the parent plant once they have matured.
Propagation through Cuttings
Propagation through cuttings involves taking a stem cutting from the parent plant and rooting it into a soil mixture. The cutting is taken from a healthy plant and should include at least two nodes. The bottom node is dipped into rooting hormone before being inserted into the soil mixture. The cutting is then kept moist and under shade until new roots form.
Propagation through Grafting
Grafting involves attaching a shoot or bud from a desirable plant to a rootstock of a related plant. The rootstock provides the structural base and root system, while the graft provides the desirable characteristics of the desired plant. Rhus puccionii Chiov. can be grafted onto other Rhus species or related genera.
Disease Management for Rhus puccionii Chiov.
Rhus puccionii Chiov. is a plant species that typically grows in arid and semi-arid regions. While it is generally resistant to pests and diseases, there are some issues that can affect its growth and overall health. Effective disease management involves identifying the signs and symptoms early and implementing appropriate control measures in a timely manner.
Common Diseases
Leaf spot disease caused by the fungus Cercospora and bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas campestris are the most common diseases that attack Rhus puccionii Chiov. Symptoms of leaf spot include brown or black spots on the leaves, which often grow and turn into large blotches. Infected leaves eventually turn yellow and fall off. Bacterial blight causes the leaves to turn brown and wilt, and dark streaks may develop on the branches.
Disease Management Techniques
There are several ways to manage these diseases. Firstly, it is important to ensure proper irrigation, fertilization, and drainage to prevent waterlogged soil. This can help stop the spread of soil-borne pathogens. Also, pruning affected leaves and branches can help reduce the spread of disease. Secondly, copper-based fungicides can be sprayed on the plant to prevent and treat bacterial blight. Lastly, applying fungicides containing chlorothalonil can help control leaf spot disease.
Pest Management for Rhus puccionii Chiov.
While Rhus puccionii Chiov. is generally resistant to pests, there are a few insects that can cause damage to the plant. Effective pest management involves identifying the insect early and taking appropriate measures to control its spread.
Common Pests
The most common pests that attack Rhus puccionii Chiov. are aphids, spider mites, and scale insects. Aphids are tiny insects that suck sap from the leaves and stems, causing yellow streaks, stunted growth, and leaf curl. Spider mites are tiny red or brown insects that spin webs on the plant's leaves, which eventually turn yellow and fall off. Scale insects are small, immobile insects that attach themselves to the bark and suck sap from the plant. They cause yellow spots and stunted growth.
Pest Management Techniques
The following techniques can help manage pests on Rhus puccionii Chiov. Firstly, it is essential to maintain proper sanitation by removing any dead plant matter or debris that could give pests a breeding ground. Secondly, introducing natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings to eat aphids can be an effective pest control option. Thirdly, spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil can help control spider mites and scale insects.
