Life Span
Not Available
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tree
  
Tree
  
Origin
Southern Africa, South Africa
  
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Forest margins, Grassland, Mountains, Pastures, Rocky Ridges, Woods
  
Dry Forest, Lowland
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-11
  
10-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-7
  
12-10
  
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
H1, H2
  
Habit
Spreading
  
Oval or Rounded
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Light Green, Ivory
  
Purple, Violet, Blue Violet
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Yellow, Red
  
Yellow, Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
  
Green, Olive
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
Green, Olive
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
  
Olive
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
  
Pinnate
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Medium
  
Very Slow
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Spring
  
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Pollution, Drought
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Transplanting
  
Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Form a Soil ring to water efficiently, Use and maintain water-efficient soaker hoses, Use Mulches to help prevent water loss during hot and windy weather, Water Deeply
  
Average Water Needs, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Requires regular watering
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers
  
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
  
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Flowers
Insignificant
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
Yes
  
Not Available
  
Foliage Texture
Fine
  
Fine
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
Sometimes
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Birds
  
Birds, Butterflies
  
Allergy
no allergic reactions
  
Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Ground Cover
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Blood purifying
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Food for birds, Shadow Tree
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Diarrhea, Dysentry
  
anti-inflammatory, Gout, Rheumatism, Sore throat
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Leaves
  
Fruits, Seeds, Wood
  
Other Uses
Culinary use, Employed in herbal medicine, Used as a dye, Used as a spice, Used in paper industry, Wood is used for making furniture
  
Used for its medicinal properties, Wood is used for ship building
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
  
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
RHUS lancea
  
GUAIACUM sanctum
  
Common Name
African Sumac
  
Holy-wood, Lignum Vitae
  
In Hindi
अफ्रीकी एक प्रकार का पौधा
  
Holywood
  
In German
African sumac
  
Holywood
  
In French
sumac africaine
  
Holywood
  
In Spanish
zumaque africano
  
Holywood
  
In Greek
Αφρικανική σουμάκι
  
Holywood
  
In Portuguese
sumac africano
  
Holywood
  
In Polish
afrykański sumaka
  
Holywood
  
In Latin
African sumac
  
Holywood
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Not Available
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Not Available
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Sapindales
  
Sapindales
  
Family
Anacardiaceae
  
Zygophyllaceae
  
Genus
Rhus
  
Guaiacum
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Anacardioideae
  
Zygophylloideae