Plant DetailShow Menu

Rhus chinensis

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
RHOOS chi-NEN-sis
Description

Spreads by suckers; best used near natural area

Site: range of soil types including hot dry sites

Texture:  Medium to coarse

Form:  Loose; spreading shrub to flat topped tree; often multistemmed

Growth Rate:  Moderate to rapid

It is a host plant for the larvae of the Luna moth (Actias luna).

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'September Beauty'
'September Beauty'
Tags:
#deciduous#moth caterpillar host#cover plant#nighttime garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'September Beauty'
'September Beauty'
Tags:
#deciduous#moth caterpillar host#cover plant#nighttime garden#larval host plant#deciduous tree#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rhus
    Species:
    chinensis
    Family:
    Anacardiaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Himalaya to Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Larval host plant for the Luna moth. Provide cover for birds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 24 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    6 to 10 in. panicles of creamy white flowers in late summer; orange red fruit matures in fall
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    8 to 15 in. alternate, compound leaves with 7 to 13 leaflets; bright green in summer; yellow, orange, red fall color
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Songbirds