mountain lacquer tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• mountain lacquer tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhus trichocarpa
• Rhus trichocarpa var. serrata
• Rhus trichocarpa var. humilis
• Toxicodendron trichocarpum f. viride
• Rhus trichocarpa f. viridis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Toxicodendron trichocarpum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. It is further classified under the genus Toxicodendron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several key regions of Eastern Asia. It can be found growing in the Kuril Islands within the Russian Far East. Its distribution extends into China, specifically throughout the South-Central and Southeast regions. Furthermore, the species is prevalent in the neighboring territories of Japan and Korea. Together, these locations define the natural habitat of Toxicodendron trichocarpum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Toxicodendron trichocarpum is primarily defined by its preference for forest habitats, where it plays a role in the structural complexity of the ecosystem. This species exhibits a significant altitudinal distribution, thriving across a broad vertical gradient within its environment. It is typically found at elevations starting from a minimum of 900 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1700 m AMSL, and reaching its upper limit at a maximum of 2500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Toxicodendron trichocarpum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes a seasonal cycle of leaf shedding, losing its foliage during the dormant period to conserve resources before regrowing in the subsequent spring. This rhythmic transition between active growth and seasonal senescence defines its survival strategy and structural development over time.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Toxicodendron trichocarpum is characterized by its woody growth form, which manifests as both a tree and a shrub. This plant exhibits a significant stature, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 8 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is described as a self-supporting species, meaning it does not rely on other structures for climbing, though it maintains a robust, woody constitution throughout its development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Toxicodendron trichocarpum is characterized by a metabolic framework driven by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common adaptation in temperate woody species that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. Through this pathway, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to facilitate the initial carboxylation of CO2, leading to the production of three-carbon compounds. This metabolic process supports the plant's growth and energy requirements, driving the synthesis of secondary metabolites, most notably urushiols, which are integral to its physiological defense mechanisms. The energy derived from these photosynthetic activities is partitioned toward vegetative development, structural maintenance, and the complex biochemical pathways necessary for the production of its characteristic resinous compounds.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Toxicodendron trichocarpum is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the development of small, specialized fruits. The flowering period is concentrated in July, though the timing can be variable across different seasonal cycles. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit consistent morphological dimensions; these fruits typically possess a mean length of 0.55 cm and a mean width of 0.75 cm. In terms of size variation, the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm, while the fruit width varies from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.75 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Toxicodendron trichocarpum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Urushiols.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Urushiols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Toxicodendron trichocarpum has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Toxicodendron trichocarpum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include blood diseases.

Blood diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology