{{Short description|Species of tree}} {{Speciesbox |name = Chinese sumac |image = Rhus javanica var chinensis2.jpg |image_caption = |status = LC |status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn | author1 = Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) | author2 = IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group | name-list-style = amp | title = ''Rhus chinensis'' | article-number = e.T135819132A135819134 | year = 2018 | access-date = 23 January 2023}}</ref> |genus = Rhus |species = chinensis |authority = Mill. |synonyms = {{ubl|''Rhus javanica'' {{small|auct.}}|''Rhus semialata'' {{small|Murray}}}} }}
'''''Rhus chinensis''''', the '''Chinese sumac'''<ref>{{PLANTS|id=RHCH9|taxon=Rhus chinensis|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref> or '''nutgall tree''', is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the genus ''Rhus''. Growing to {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, it has downy shoots and leaves comprising several leaflets. These turn red in autumn before falling.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/21746/Rhus-chinensis/Details | title = ''Rhus chinensis'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 28 August 2021}}</ref>
The plant is common in East and South Asia,<ref name=":0" /> and is cultivated as an ornamental in temperate climates.
Galls produced on the species that are called ''Chinese gall'' (''Galla chinensis''), are a source of gallotannins,<ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.lwt.2009.03.004| title = Identification and structure–activity relationship of gallotannins separated from Galla chinensis| journal = LWT - Food Science and Technology| volume = 42| issue = 7| page = 1289| year = 2009| last1 = Tian| first1 = Fang| last2 = Li| first2 = Bo| last3 = Ji| first3 = Baoping| last4 = Zhang| first4 = Guizhi| last5 = Luo| first5 = Yangchao}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.07.062| title = Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of consecutive extracts from Galla chinensis:The polarity affects the bioactivities| journal = Food Chemistry| volume = 113| pages = 173–179| year = 2009| last1 = Tian| first1 = Fang| last2 = Li| first2 = Bo| last3 = Ji| first3 = Baoping| last4 = Yang| first4 = Jinhua| last5 = Zhang| first5 = Guizhi| last6 = Chen| first6 = Yang| last7 = Luo| first7 = Yangchao}}</ref> molecules of hydrolyzable tannins. Infestation of the tree by Chinese sumac aphids (''Melaphis chinensis'' Bell) may lead to production of a gall that is valued as a commercial product in China.
Chinese galls are used in traditional Chinese medicine for coughs, diarrhea, night sweats, dysentery, and intestinal and uterine bleeding.<ref>"Aphid", Henry G. Stroyan, ''McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology'', 8th Edition, 1997, {{ISBN|0-07-911504-7}}</ref> Some research has suggested that chemical compounds found in ''Rhus chinensis'' possess ''in vitro'' antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal, and antioxidant activities.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | pmid = 20564459| year = 2010| last1 = Djakpo| first1 = O| title = Rhus chinensis and Galla Chinensis--folklore to modern evidence: Review| journal = Phytotherapy Research| volume = 24| issue = 12| pages = 1739–47| last2 = Yao| first2 = W| doi = 10.1002/ptr.3215| pmc = 7167973}}</ref> The aqueous extracts of the gall also inhibit alpha-glucosidase activity ''in vitro''.<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 12639753| year = 2003| last1 = Shim| first1 = Y. J| title = Inhibitory effect of aqueous extract from the gall of Rhus chinensis on alpha-glucosidase activity and postprandial blood glucose| journal = Journal of Ethnopharmacology| volume = 85| issue = 2–3| pages = 283–7| last2 = Doo| first2 = H. K| last3 = Ahn| first3 = S. Y| last4 = Kim| first4 = Y. S| last5 = Seong| first5 = J. K| last6 = Park| first6 = I. S| last7 = Min| first7 = B. H| doi=10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00370-7}}</ref>
<gallery> Image:Rhus javanica var chinensis1.jpg|Foliage Image:Rhus javanica var chinensis3.jpg|Flowers Image:Rhus javanica var chinensis4.jpg|Fruits Image:Rhus chinensis sapling.jpg|Sapling </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikispecies}} {{Commons}} *[https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhus+chinensis Plants for a Future]
{{Tannin source}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q163116}}
chinensis Category:Trees of China Category:Flora of Eastern Asia Category:Flora of tropical Asia Category:Taxa named by Philip Miller