Rhus coriaria

Rhus coriaria, commonly called Sicilian sumac, tanner's sumach, or elm-leaved sumach, is a deciduous shrub to small tree in the Anacardiaceae or cashew family, native to southern Europe. The dried fruits are used as a spice, particularly in combination with other spices in the mixture called za'atar. The plant will grow in any type of soil that is deep and well-drained. The name of that plant, sumac, came from the Aramaic language and it means red The fruit has a sour taste; dried and crushed, it is a popular spice in the Middle East. Immature fruits and seeds are also eaten. It is traditionally used and also clinically investigated for lipid lowering effects. The leaves and the bark were traditionally used in leather tanning and contain tannic acid. Dyes of various colours, red, yellow, black, and brown, can be made from different parts of the plant. Oil extracted from the seeds can be used to make candles.