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Toxicodendron vernicifluum - (Stokes) F.A. Barkley.

Common Name Lacquer Tree
Family Anacardiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The plant contains toxic substances that can cause severe irritation to some people[8, 19]. The sap can be particularly caustic[11]. All parts of the plant contain resinous phenolic compounds known as urushiols. Direct contacr with the plant, exposure to smoke or fumes from a burning plant or even contact with pets or animals that have touched the plant can cause severe allergic dermatitis in some individuals. There is usually a latent period of about 12 - 24 hours from the moment of contact, this is followed by a reddening and severe blistering of the skin. Even plant specimens 100 or more years old can cause problems[274].
Habitats Woods and thickets on mountain slopes[109], usually around 1200 metres[64].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Toxicodendron vernicifluum Lacquer Tree


Toxicodendron vernicifluum Lacquer Tree

 

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Summary

UPDATE: 22/08/11. This plant was originally in the database as Rhus verniciflua. It has now been changed to Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley as it's accepted name with Rhus verniciflua as a synonym


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Toxicodendron vernicifluum is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 10 m (32ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Rhus verniciflua. R. kaempferi. R. vernicifera. R. vernix. non L.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Dysentery

Stimulant, tonic[178]. The leaves are used in the treatment of wasting diseases and internal parasites[218]. The seed is haemostatic and is used in the treatment of dysentery[218]. A resin from the plant is emmenagogue, haemolytic, stimulant, tonic and vermifuge[218]. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A non-drying oil is obtained from the fruit and is used in making candles[1, 11, 46, 57, 74, 109]. The fruit contains about 25% fat[218]. The fruit is crushed, heated and then crushed to extract the oil[K]. The oil attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[4]. The sap can be used as a varnish or a lacquer. It is obtained by incision of the stem[1, 4, 11, 19, 57, 74], which is best done in mid-summer[64]. The lacquer is frequently used in Japanese art, it requires a damp atmosphere in which to dry and harden, a moist cave being ideal[64]. It is resistant to acids, alkalis, alcohol and temperatures up to 70°c[171]. The leaves and galls formed as a result of insect damage are rich in tannin[4]. The leaves can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[169].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Industrial Crop: Oil  Industrial Crop: Wax  Management: Standard  Regional Crop

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[11, 200]. One report says that this species is only hardy into zone 9 (tolerating only occasional light frosts)[200] but there are large healthy trees at Cambridge and Edinburgh Botanical gardens, and both sites had fruiting trees in September 1989[K]. Plants have brittle branches and these can be broken off in strong winds[200]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Cultivated for its lacquer in the warmer areas of Japan[58, 109]. Many of the species in this genus, including this one, are highly toxic and can also cause severe irritation to the skin of some people, whilst other species are not poisonous. It is relatively simple to distinguish which is which, the poisonous species have axillary panicles and smooth fruits whilst non-poisonous species have compound terminal panicles and fruits covered with acid crimson hairs[1, 4]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[200]. Partly dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Carbon Farming

  • Industrial Crop: Oil  Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, biomass, glycerin, soaps, lubricants, paints, biodiesel. Oilseed crop types.
  • Industrial Crop: Wax  Water resistant, malleable substances. Currently, most commercial wax is made from paraffin - a fossil fuel.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in hot water (starting at a temperature of 80 - 90c and allowing it to cool) prior to sowing in order to leach out any germination inhibitors[200]. The stored seed also needs hot water treatment and can be sown in early spring in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[200]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[78, 200]. Suckers in late autumn to winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur, Sikkim), Nepal, Pakistan (north)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Rhus toxicodendronEastern Poison OakShrub0.6 6-9  LMHNDM022
Toxicodendron sylvestreYame-hazeTree10.0 9-12 MLMHSNM004

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Stokes) F.A. Barkley.

Botanical References

11109200

Links / References

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