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Rhus ciliata is one of the more modest members of this popular group of garden plants which hybridize easily. This species, like several others in the family, is a low maintenance shrub and is commonly confused with R. tridactyla. It tends to grow straggly and needs light pruning to keep it shapely. Description Distribution Derivation of name and historical aspects The Anacardiaceae family is widespread in the warmer parts of the world. It comprises over 60 genera and more than 500 different species. In South Africa about ten genera and more than 50 species are found. A few indigenous genera that belong to this family are wild plum, Harpephyllum caffrum, the resin tree Ozoroa species, iron martin, Laurophyllus capensis and marula, Sclerocarya caffra. Some members of the family have edible fruits such as the mango, the cashew nut, the pistachio nut and the marula. Many of these plants produce a resin, gum or latex and some have a highly toxic sap e.g. Smodingium sp., which causes a painful rash that results in blistering. The male and female flowers are often borne separately. Ecology Uses and cultural aspects Growing Rhus ciliata These shrubs are best grown from seed. The seeds usually have a shiny brown colouring when ripe. As soon as the seeds are dry they can be collected. The seeds are cleaned by rubbing off the outer parts, then dried in the sun, dusted in Bexadust and stored till sowing. The seeds can be sown immediately they are sun dried or stored for one season, sometimes for two seasons, if treated correctly with Bexadust. All Rhus seeds are best sown in spring. Sow in a medium made up of one part mountain gravel, one part compost/leaf mould, and one part red soil. Mix well until you have a very well-drained, loose mixture. No artificial fertilizers should be added. Part or parts refer to level wheelbarrows. Seed trays must have good drainage. Scatter the seeds lightly over the prepared, damp sowing mixture. Firm them down lightly. Dust the seed with fine ashes of wood (grey powder), before covering them to keep the insects away. Place the seed tray in a cool, shady, well-ventilated house. The sun should not shine on the seed tray in the germinating stage. Seed starts germinating from 4-6 weeks; some species can take longer. Germinated seeds should be watered daily, the seedlings damp off when over-watered. As they develop into the third to fourth leaf stage, do not remove the seedlings with a dibber but rather shake the soil out of the pot, wet it and loosen it, so that you do not damage the root system. The transplanting soil mixture is as follows: one part compost/ leaf mould, one part mountain gravel, three parts red soil. Add a handful of bone meal and 3:1:5 or 2:3:2 to transplanting soil mixture. Mix well (Martin Lumley pers. comm.). References:
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Rhus
ciliata forms an evergreen, thorny, thin and crooked-stemmed
shrub from 2 to 4 m high. The bark is grey, smooth and the branches
are spreading white somewhat striate (marked with fine lines, ridges
or furrows), often ending in spines. The leaves are trifoliolate
(has three leaflets) which is characteristic of the Rhus species.
The flowers are minute, yellow-green in colour and insignificant.
The fruits are drupes; shiny, light to dark brown in colour. The
shape of the fruits is the main distinquishing character between
this species and R tridactyla.
