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'''''Rhus integrifolia''''', also known as '''Lemonade Berry''', '''Lemonadeberry''', or '''Lemonade Sumac''' is a [[shrub]] to small [[tree]] that is one to eight meters in height, with a sprawling form. It is native to Southwestern and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coastal [[California]] from [[Santa Barbara County]] to western [[Riverside County]] with its range extending to north-central Pacific coastal [[Baja California]] and some offshore islands like [[Cedros Island|Cedros]]. It is a member of the [[chaparral]] plant community and is often found in canyons and on north-facing slopes below elevations of 900 meters. It often hybridizes with ''[[Rhus ovata]]''.

Rhus integrifolia, Brew. & Wats. Shrub or small tree, occasionally to 30 ft.: lvs. short-stalked, oval, obtuse or sometimes acute, entire or spinosely toothed, glabrous, 1-2 in. long, very rarely 3-foliolate: panicles hoary- pubescent, 1-3 in. long; fls. white or pinkish: fr. ovate, flattened, l/2in. long, dark red. Spring. Calif. S.S. 3:109.

The Lemonade Berry's leaves are simple (unusual in a genus where most species are trifoliate), alternating, [[evergreen]] and leathery, ranging from two to four centimeters wide on reddish twigs; length of leaves is five to seven centimeters. Leaves are toothed with a waxy appearance above and a paler tone below.  The [[flowers]] which appear from February to May are small, clustered closely together, and may be either [[bisexual]] or [[pistil]]late.<ref name="Jepson">{{cite web|url=http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?315,320,321|title=R. integrifolia (Nutt.) Brewer & S. Watson|date=1993|work=Jepson Manual|publisher=University of California|accessdate=2009-04-12}}</ref>

 

 

The Lemonade Berry's leaves are simple (unusual in a genus where most species are trifoliate), alternating, [[evergreen]] and leathery, ranging from two to four centimeters wide on reddish twigs; length of leaves is five to seven centimeters. Leaves are toothed with a waxy appearance above and a paler tone below.  The [[flowers]] which appear from February to May are small, clustered closely together, and may be either [[bisexual]] or [[pistil]]late.

These fragrant flowers exhibit radial symmetry with five green [[sepal]]s, five white to rosy-pink [[petal]]s, and five [[stamen]]s. The small flowers are only six millimeters across.  The ovary is superior and usually has a single [[ovule]]; although in pistillate flowers, the stamens are small and infertile. The mature [[fruit]] of ''Rhus integrifolia'' is sticky, reddish, covered with hairs, and about seven to ten millimeters in diameter.  The elliptical fruit presents tight clusters at the very ends of twigs.

These fragrant flowers exhibit radial symmetry with five green [[sepal]]s, five white to rosy-pink [[petal]]s, and five [[stamen]]s. The small flowers are only six millimeters across.  The ovary is superior and usually has a single [[ovule]]; although in pistillate flowers, the stamens are small and infertile. The mature [[fruit]] of ''Rhus integrifolia'' is sticky, reddish, covered with hairs, and about seven to ten millimeters in diameter.  The elliptical fruit presents tight clusters at the very ends of twigs.

Young plants manifest smooth reddish [[bark]], while more mature individuals have cracked, even scaly, grayish bark with the smooth red bark displayed underneath.  [[Twig]]s are rather stout and flexible, and reddish bud ends are diminutive and pointed. There is often a multi-furcate branching structure from the base of the plant.  A mature plant is large and [[thicket]]-like with a sprawling arrangement.

Young plants manifest smooth reddish [[bark]], while more mature individuals have cracked, even scaly, grayish bark with the smooth red bark displayed underneath.  [[Twig]]s are rather stout and flexible, and reddish bud ends are diminutive and pointed. There is often a multi-furcate branching structure from the base of the plant.  A mature plant is large and [[thicket]]-like with a sprawling arrangement.

The Lemonade Berry plant is found on dry slopes in coastal areas of southern California and Baja California; however, one colony has even been observed as far north as [[Santa Cruz County]]. In addition to occurring on dry slopes and in canyon settings, the species sometimes is fond on bluffs, as long as there is sufficient sun and absence of coastal moisture. The Lemonade Berry occurs in both [[chaparral]] and [[coastal sage scrub]] communities.

Rhus integrifolia, Brew. & Wats. Shrub or small tree, occasionally to 30 ft.: lvs. short-stalked, oval, obtuse or sometimes acute, entire or spinosely toothed, glabrous, 1-2 in. long, very rarely 3-foliolate: panicles hoary- pubescent, 1-3 in. long; fls. white or pinkish: fr. ovate, flattened, l/2in. long, dark red. Spring. Calif.

 

This plant thrives on well drained soils and endures heat and windy conditions well. The species tolerates sandy as well as medium loam soils, and it can even thrive in [[nutrient]] deficient soil. This plant tolerates mildly [[acid]] to mildly [[alkaline]] soils, but it can not grow in shady conditions. Propagation is by seed or by runners; in the case of seed propagation [[bee]] [[pollination]] is required of vicinity female trees growing near male trees. Lemonade Berry will not grow in proximity to the [[Pacific Ocean]] where there is air with high moisture content. The fruits are enjoyed by many bird species as well as the [[road-runner]].

 

Many plants within this genus are considered [[toxic]], although some reports indicate this species can be used to make [[lemonade]] flavored drinks.  Allergic reactions may also result from skin contact with [[sap]] from some of the genera. ''Rhus integrifolia'' can also be used as a landscape [[shrub]] and is suitable for hedging and [[espalier]]. The plant is vulnerable to frost, but often the plant will regrow by summer, after it appears to have died from cold. The growth habit is slow to moderate and, as a garden plant, this [[species]] is quite resistant to [[deer]]. Its cultural requirements should mimic its natural environment with ample drainage and little summer water.

The Lemonade Berry plant is found on dry slopes in coastal areas of southern California and especially northern Baja California; however, one colony has even been observed as far north as [[Santa Cruz County, California|Santa Cruz County]].  In addition to occurring on dry slopes and in canyon settings, the species sometimes is found on bluffs.  

Lemonade Berry leaves are rich in [[tannin]]s. Even though the species is evergreen, there is some leaf fall in autumn, at which time the fallen leaves may be used as a brown [[dye]] or [[mordant]]. An oil can be extracted from Lemonade Berry seeds; moreover, this oil achieves a [[tallow]] consistency when left to stand.  Thereafter the oil can be employed to manufacture [[candle]]s, which burn brightly, albeit emitting  a pungent scent. The wood of mature plants is dense and hard, making it prized for wood-burning [[fireplace]] [[kindling]].

This plant thrives on well drained soils and endures heat and windy conditions well. The species tolerates sandy as well as medium loam soils, and it can even thrive in [[nutrient]] deficient soil. This plant tolerates mildly [[acid]] to mildly [[alkaline]] soils, but it cannot grow in shady conditions. Propagation is by seed or by runners; in the case of seed propagation [[bee]] [[pollination]] is required of vicinity female trees growing near male trees.  Lemonade Berry grows very well in coastal exposures.

== References and external links ==

===Propagation===

*Schmidt, Marjorie G. ''Growing California [[Native Plant]]s'', University of California Press, 1980.

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*John H Wiersema, Blanca Leon. ''World Economic Plants'', CRC Press LLc (1999)

<!--  This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc    -->

*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?315,320,321 Jepson Flora Project 1993 "Rhus integrifolia"]

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*[http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/lemonadeberry.html Photos of ''Rhus integrifolia'']

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==See also==

==External links==

*[[Coastal sage scrub]]

*{{wplink}}