Rhus glutinosa (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

← Rhoicissus tridentata

Bekele-Tesemma, Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia, 2007 Rhus glutinosa (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

Rhus natalensis →

Rhus glutinosa Anacardiaceae Indigenous

Common names

• Agewgna: Kumini
• Amargna: Embus, Qamo
• Oromugna: Akessa, Tatessa
• Tigrigna: Shemut

Ecology A shrub or tree found in semi‑arid conditions in lowland and highland woodlands of Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones of Tigray, Gojam, Welo, Shewa, Harerge and Arsi, 1,500—3,300 m.

Uses

Firewood, farm tools, tool handles.

Description

A spreading or upright shrub or tree 3–10 m. The trunk may reach 25 cm diameter. This species is named for the new shoots which exude a shiny, sticky liquid (glutinous).

• BARK: Red‑brown becoming dark grey.
• LEAVES: The three leaflets are all long, narrow, wider towards the pointed tip, all about the same length, 8–23 cm, midrib clear below, narrowed to a long leaf stalk. Leaves dry brown with pale veins.
• FLOWERS: Very small, male and female, in dense rounded heads, on hairy branched stalks as long or longer than leaves.
• FRUIT: Cream to pale brown and shiny, about 5 mm across, rounded to bean shaped.

Propagation

Seedlings.

Seed

• Treatment: Not necessary.
• Storage: Stores well.

Management

Fast growing. Coppicing and taming the young branches to required shape for hoes and axe handles.

Remarks

There are 3 subspecies in Ethiopia.