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Rhus verniciflua
  • Lacquer Tree

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Rhus genus in the family Anacardiaceae.

Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Rhus verniciflua has 0 material uses listed
Rhus verniciflua has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant contains toxic substances that can cause severe irritation to some people[1][2]. The sap can be particularly caustic[3]. 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[4].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Rhus verniciflua.

Material uses

A non-drying oil is obtained from the fruit and is used in making candles[5][3][6][7][8][9]. The fruit contains about 25% fat[10]. 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[11].

The sap can be used as a varnish or a lacquer. It is obtained by incision of the stem[5][11][3][2][7][8], which is best done in mid-summer[12]. The lacquer is frequently used in Japanese art, it requires a damp atmosphere in which to dry and harden, a moist cave being ideal[12]. It is resistant to acids, alkalis, alcohol and temperatures up to 70°c[13].

The leaves and galls formed as a result of insect damage are rich in tannin[11]. The leaves can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[14].

Unknown part

Dye
Lacquer
Mordant
Oil
Wax

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Stimulant, tonic[15].

The leaves are used in the treatment of wasting diseases and internal parasites[10]. The seed is haemostatic and is used in the treatment of dysentery[10]. A resin from the plant is emmenagogue, haemolytic, stimulant, tonic and vermifuge[10].

Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

Unknown part

Emmenagogue
Stimulant
Tonic
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[16]. The stored seed also needs hot water treatment and can be sown in early spring in a cold frame[16]. 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[16]. Root cuttings 4cm long taken in December and potted up vertically in a greenhouse. Good percentage[17][16].

Suckers in late autumn to winter[16].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Rhus verniciflua. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained fertile soil in full sun[3][16].

One report says that this species is only hardy into zone 9 (tolerating only occasional light frosts)[16] 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[16]. Plants are also susceptible to coral spot fungus[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[16]. Cultivated for its lacquer in the warmer areas of Japan[18][9]. 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[5][11]. The toxic species are sometimes separated into their own genus, Toxicodendron, by some botanists[16].

Partly dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Rhus verniciflua. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Rhus verniciflua.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rhus verniciflua
Genus
Rhus
Family
Anacardiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[15][10]
Material uses & Functions
[5][3][6][7][8][9][10][11][2][12][13][14]
Botanic
[3][9][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    15 x 10 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers ISBN 0-7225-0445-4 (1977-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    4. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae. ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
    13. ? 13.013.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    15. ? 15.015.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    16. ? 16.0016.0116.0216.0316.0416.0516.0616.0716.0816.0916.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    18. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)


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    Facts about "Rhus verniciflua"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAnacardiaceae +
    Belongs to genusRhus +
    Has binomial nameRhus verniciflua +
    Has common nameLacquer Tree +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Bees +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Lacquer +, Mordant +, Oil + and Wax +
    Has mature height15 +
    Has mature width10 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useEmmenagogue +, Stimulant +, Tonic + and Vermifuge +
    Has search namerhus verniciflua + and lacquer tree +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameRhus verniciflua +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Rhus verniciflua +, Rhus verniciflua +, Rhus verniciflua +, Rhus verniciflua +, Rhus verniciflua +, Rhus verniciflua +, Rhus verniciflua +, Rhus verniciflua + and Rhus verniciflua +