Sugar Bush

Native to dry inland slopes in Southern California, this shrub has glossy, leathery, green leaves that slightly fold inward along the midrib. Dense clusters of small, pinkish-white flowers appear in spring followed by small, reddish, hairy, sugar-coated fruits. Sugar Bush is a tidy plant by nature but can be kept smaller and shaped with regular light pruning. A member of the Sumac family, the sap can cause a rash, use care when pruning. Drought tolerant once established. Simiar to Rhus integrifolia with natural habitats that overlap, R. ovata's leaves are generally larger with smoother margins but hybrids do occur naturally and variations may exist. Use as a privacy screen, specimen shrub, or shape into a small tree. Useful for slope stabilization.