Rhus vulgaris

Meikle

Anacardiaceae Edible: Berries, Fruit

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Description

A bush or shrub. It grows 1-7 m high. The leaves have 3 leaflets. They are softly hairy. The leaves are dull green and can be rounded with a notched tip. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit are round but flat disks. They are 3-5 mm across. They are brownish-red when dry. The fruit is edible.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw and are sweet, while unripe fruit are slightly acidic and also edible. The fruit are particularly enjoyed by children.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They can be eaten ripe or unripe. Unripe fruit are slightly acidic but ripe fruit are sweet.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and the highlands. It grows in wooded grassland. It is often on rocky sites and the edges of forests. In East Africa it grows between 1,200-2,700 m altitude. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 700-1,500 mm per year. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown using fresh seeds.

Production

Fruit are collected at the end of the rainy season.

Other Information

They are eaten especially by children.

Notes

There are about 200 Rhus species.

Synonyms

Rhus incana auctt. (sensu Herb.)Rhus villosa auctt. (sensu Herb.)

Also Known As

Atyendwinyo, Awayo, Aweeya, Bakitela, Bicha oraya, Busojole, Dabobessaa, Datei, Datlaii, Debobesa, Ewaya, Ithia, Kemmo, Kitumbi, Mkeri, Monjororioyat, Msehelele, Msulu, Mtunumbi, Mutheo, Mutheu, Muthigi, Muthigiu, Njowaruwa, Olmungushi, Ol-munyushi, Ormisigiyoi, Sangla-madongo, Wuhehefu, Xaaxessaa, Ye-ahiya-talo

References (33)

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Bahru, T., et al, 2013, Wild Edible Plants: Sustainable Use and Management by Indigenous Communities in and the Buffer Area of Awah National Park, Ethiopia. Ethiop. J. Sci., 36(2): 93-108

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