Rhus glabra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across North America and parts of Europe. In Western Canada, it can be found thriving in the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Its presence extends into Eastern Canada, specifically within the province of Ontario. Additionally, the species is documented in Middle Europe, particularly in Germany. These varied locations demonstrate the plant's ability to adapt to diverse regional environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Rhus glabra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in the landscape through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody shrub or small tree, it undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive development, often spreading through a robust root system that facilitates clonal expansion. The plant's lifecycle involves the development of woody stems and complex branching patterns that strengthen over successive years, providing a stable structure for its foliage and reproductive organs. During its reproductive phases, it produces inconspicuous flowers that eventually give rise to dense clusters of drupes, which play a critical role in its dispersal and long-term survival within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhus glabra is characterized by a woody growth habit that allows it to function both as a tree and as a shrub. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 5.355 m, exhibiting a robust structure. In terms of its physical habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not rely on other structures for climbing.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

5.355 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhus glabra is characterized by a robust metabolic framework adapted to temperate and transitional environments, primarily utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. Through this C3 mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide during the Calvin cycle, a process that is highly efficient under moderate light and temperature conditions typical of its native habitats. To support its vegetative growth and structural integrity, the plant exhibits efficient nutrient uptake and water regulation processes, managing transpiration rates to balance gas exchange with moisture retention. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is bolstered by secondary metabolic processes, which allow the plant to respond to environmental stressors and herbivory through the synthesis of various bioactive compounds.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhus glabra is characterized by a diverse array of dispersal mechanisms, including anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized strategies, though it is specifically identified as exhibiting a zoochorous dispersal syndrome. The seeds produced by this species are relatively small, with a measured mean seed mass of approximately 0.00839822725 g. Within the population, individual seed masses fluctuate, ranging from a minimum of 0.004381 g to a maximum of 0.0109 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass max:

0.0109 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00839822725 g

Seed mass min:

0.004381 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rhus glabra has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALUMINUM, Ash, BARIUM, BORON, CADMIUM.

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BARIUM

1. Dr. Duke

BORON

1. Dr. Duke

CADMIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHROMIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COBALT

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Calcium malate

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Rhus glabra has 244 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Acidifier, Acnegenic.

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidifier

1. Dr. Duke

Acnegenic

1. Dr. Duke

Additive

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amphiglycemic?

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Rhus glabra has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include branches.

Branches

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology