Kearney's Sumac / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Kearney's Sumac (Rhus kearneyi)

Photo Caption

 Photo Credit: Steve Blackwell
  • Global Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Anacardiaceae
  • State: AZ
  • Nature Serve ID: 161659
  • Lifeform: Tree, Shrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/25/1988
Description:

Rhus kearneyi plants are large showy, evergreen shrubs that grow up to three meters in height. The dioecious flowers grow in creamy white clusters and bloom in March. Petioles and young twigs are a striking reddish color. Many species of Rhus can be found in small numbers in the canyons of northern Sonora, Mexico.

Where is Kearney's Sumac (Rhus kearneyi) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Plants are found growing along steep canyons and drainages (relatively few individuals) (Kearney and Peebles 1973).

Distribution:

Rhus kearneyi is known from the Tinajas Altas, Cabeza Prieta, and Gila Mountains of southwestern Arizona, at elevations of 1000 to 1500 feet (Kearney and Peebles 1973).

States & Provinces:

Kearney's Sumac can be found in Arizona

Which CPC Partners conserve Kearney's Sumac (Rhus kearneyi)?

  • Desert Botanical Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    Center for Plant Conservation
    • 08/19/2021
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    In 2021, CPC contracted Desert Botanical Garden to recollect seed from a population currently held in long term orthodox seed storage as part of an IMLS-funded seed longevity experiment. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation will evaluate how germination tested viability and RNA Integrity of seed lots decline over time in storage.

    • 10/08/2020
      • Living Collection

    Desert Botanical Garden collected seeds of R. kearneyi in 1986. Plants are easily propagated from seeds and cuttings, but do not thrive in containers for longer than a few years. Over fifty plants can be found in ornamental exhibits within the Garden. The Garden has produced thousands of seeds in cultivation on plants grown to reproductive maturity from field-collected seeds. This species is really attractive in cultivation and has potential valuable horticultural contribution to low-water use landscapes. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

    • 10/08/2020
      • Propagation Research

    Desert Botanical Garden collected seeds of R. kearneyi in 1986. Plants are easily propagated from seeds and cuttings, but do not thrive in containers for longer than a few years. Over fifty plants can be found in ornamental exhibits within the Garden. The Garden has produced thousands of seeds in cultivation on plants grown to reproductive maturity from field-collected seeds. This species is really attractive in cultivation and has potential valuable horticultural contribution to low-water use landscapes. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

    • 10/08/2020
      • Seed Collection

    Desert Botanical Garden collected seeds of R. kearneyi in 1986. Plants are easily propagated from seeds and cuttings, but do not thrive in containers for longer than a few years. Over fifty plants can be found in ornamental exhibits within the Garden. The Garden has produced thousands of seeds in cultivation on plants grown to reproductive maturity from field-collected seeds. This species is really attractive in cultivation and has potential valuable horticultural contribution to low-water use landscapes. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    Because it is inherently rare, this species may be threatened by stochastic events.

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    There is only a single population known in the U.S. from one canyon in the tinajas Altas Mountains on the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range.

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    Desert Botanical Garden collected seeds of R. kearneyi in 1986. Plants are easily propagated from seeds and cuttings, but do not thrive in containers for longer than a few years. Over fifty plants can be found in ornamental exhibits within the Garden. The Garden has produced thousands of seeds in cultivation on plants grown to reproductive maturity from field-collected seeds. This species is really attractive in cultivation and has potential valuable horticultural contribution to low-water use landscapes. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    Although plants are not undergoing any immediate human induced threat, management planning should include seed banking for potential reintroduction in the occurrence of a devastating stochastic event.

    Kathleen C. Rice
    • 01/01/2010

    This species general biology and ecology would be interesting to know.

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Rhus kearneyi
    Authority Barkley
    Family Anacardiaceae
    CPC Number 7049
    ITIS 28784
    USDA RHKE
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Kearney sumac | Kearney's sumac
    Associated Scientific Names Rhus kearneyi
    Distribution Rhus kearneyi is known from the Tinajas Altas, Cabeza Prieta, and Gila Mountains of southwestern Arizona, at elevations of 1000 to 1500 feet (Kearney and Peebles 1973).
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Arizona S2
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    Rhus kearneyi, found in steep canyons and drainages, is a large showy shrub that grows to 3 m tall. Photo Credit: Lynda Pritchett-Kozak

    The evergreen leaves and creamy white flowers of Kearney sumac. Photo Credit: Lynda Pritchett-Kozak

    Photo Caption

    Photo Credit: Steve Blackwell

    Photo Caption

    Photo Credit: Steve Blackwell

    Photo Caption

    Photo Credit: Steve Blackwell

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