Rhus ovata, commonly known as sugar bush or sugar sumac, [1] is a shrub or small tree found growing in the canyons and slopes of the chaparral and related ecosystems in Southern California, Arizona, Baja California and Baja California Sur. It is a long lived-plant, up to 100 years, and has dense evergreen foliage that make it conspicuous.

Beautiful year round, Rhus ovata (Sugar Sumac) is a rounded, evergreen shrub or small tree with stout reddish twigs clothed with large, ovate, lustrous dark green leaves, 3 in. long (7 cm), slightly folded at the midrib. The foliage alone makes it worth planting.

Rhus ovata (Sugar Bush) - This California native plant is an aromatic, evergreen shrub that grows 8 to 12 feet tall, sometimes taller, with a stout, short trunk and many spreading branches.

Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata) is an evergreen shrub to small tree that grows in chaparral in dry canyons and slopes below 4300 feet in southern California, Arizona and Baja California.

Size: 6 to 15 feet (1.8-4.6 m) tall. Growth Form: Large shrub with rounded appearance or small tree; evergreen, densely leaved, twigs reddish, stout branches, puberulent early then becoming glabrate; old bark shaggy.

The twigs of Rhus ovata are thick and reddish in color. Its foliage consists of dark green, leathery, ovate leaves that are folded along the midrib. The leaf arrangement is alternate.

This plant profile for Rhus ovata provides information on species distribution; taxonomic relationships; ecological and evolutionary considerations for restoration; growth form and distinguishing traits; habitat characteristics; projected future suitable habitat; growth, reproduction and dispersal; biological interactions; ecological genetics ...

Sugar bush (Rhus ovata) presenting clusters of fruit. Sugar bush foliage in the winter, near the Salton Sea. Sugar bush, also known as sugar sumac, is an evergreen shrub in the Anacardiaceae family. You can find this shrub growing in the chaparral region of southern California, often on south-facing slopes near 3,500 feet in elevation.

Rhus ovata, Sugar Bush is an eight foot evergreen shrub that can grow to twelve feet. This native of Southern California and Arizona has large white flower clusters in March-May, large leathery leaves and reddish berries used to make lemonade-like drink.

Sugar bush — Rhus ovata Sugar bush is a large evergreen shrub with a dense foliage habit that commonly grows 10-15 ft. high and as wide. However, some long lived plants have developed into small trees with twisting trunks up to 35 ft. tall. Thick leaves are 1-3 in. long, deep glossy green and have a pointed apex.