Taxon Report

Rhus aromatica Aiton var. simplicifolia (Greene) Cronquist

single-leaved skunkbrush

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Taxon Summary

Rhus aromatica var. simplicifolia, commonly known as single-leaved skunkbrush, is a perennial deciduous shrub in the Anacardiaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 1220 to 1370 meters. Rhus aromatica var. simplicifolia is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Rhus aromatica Aiton var. simplicifolia (Greene) Cronquist
Common Name:
single-leaved skunkbrush
Family: Anacardiaceae
Element Code: PDANA080B5
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Rhus trilobata var. simplicifolia

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial deciduous shrub
Blooming Period: Mar-Apr Mar-Apr
Elevation: 1220-1370 (4005-4495)
General Habitats: Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat: Granitic (usually)
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 3
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Whale Peak (3311613)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 1
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 25 %
Foot traffic/trampling 1 25%

Notes

Known in CA only from the Pinyon and Vallecito mountains. Not in TJM (1993); a synonym of R. aromatica in TJM 2. See Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 17(1):13 (1890) for original description, Great Basin Naturalist 46(2):254 (1986) for revised nomenclature, and MadroƱo 34(2):171 (1987) for first CA records.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 9 May 2025].