Rhus ovata
Sugar bush, sugar sumac
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Anacardiaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Rhus ovata (Sugar bush) is a native California shrub / tree in the Anacardiaceae family, recognized by folded leaves and south-facing slope preference.
Sugar bush is a California native shrub found in southwestern California in chaparral habitats, typically on southern-facing canyon slopes at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in compact clusters with red-tinged sepals. Growing 2 to 10 meters tall with stout branches, it forms a dense, evergreen shrub with a distinctive growth habit. Its thick, leathery leaves are wide-ovate to elliptical, often folded along the midrib, measuring 3 to 8 centimeters long and wide with acute to acuminate tips. The fruit is a small, glandular-hairy red drupe approximately 6 to 8 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by folded leaves and south-facing slope preference
Habitat and range
Habitat: Canyons, generally s-facing slopes, chaparral
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Francisco, Trinity, Inyo, Butte, Santa Clara, San Benito, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Solano, Lassen
Outside California: Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Rhus ovata blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Malosma: Malosma has simple undivided leaves; Rhus has compound leaves divided into 9+ leaflets.; vs Toxicodendron: Toxicodendron leaflets are shiny-glossy on top; Rhus leaflets are dull and flat-looking.; vs Heteromeles: Heteromeles has simple toothed leaves and smooth red berries; Rhus has compound leaves and fuzzy clustered fruits.; vs Rhamnus: Rhamnus has simple leaves and smooth berries; Rhus has compound leaves and fuzzy red berry clusters.; vs Quercus: Quercus has simple lobed leaves; Rhus has compound leaves divided into multiple leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhus ovata native to California?
Yes. Rhus ovata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rhus ovata bloom?
Rhus ovata blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Rhus ovata grow?
Rhus ovata occurs in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Rhus ovata belong to?
Rhus ovata is in the Anacardiaceae family, genus Rhus.
What habitat does Rhus ovata grow in?
Rhus ovata grows in Canyons, generally s-facing slopes, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.