Toxicodendron vernicifluum

Lacquer tree

Toxicodendron vernicifluum, commonly known as the Japanese lacquer tree, is a significant medicinal and industrial plant. While renowned for producing high-quality urushi lacquer, its sap contains potent allergens. In traditional medicine, controlled applications of its derivatives are studied for unique biological properties, despite the risk of contact dermatitis.

  • Scientific name: Toxicodendron vernicifluum
  • Family: Anacardiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, falling into the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Toxicodendron.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Anacardiaceae WCVP
Genus Toxicodendron WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, is known by various regional names across different languages. In German, it is referred to as the Lackbaum, while in Russian, it is called Лаковое дерево. The Hungarian name for this species is lakkszömörce, and in Ukrainian, it is known as Лакове дерево. Additionally, in Arabic, it is identified as سماق ورنيشي سيال.
Language Common Name Source
de Lackbaum Wikidata
ru Лаковое дерево Wikidata
hu lakkszömörce Wikidata
uk Лакове дерево Wikidata
ar سماق ورنيشي سيال Wikidata
et Värnitsa-mürgipuu Wikidata
ga laicear Wikidata
ja ウルシ Wikidata
ko 옻나무 Wikidata
sl loščevec Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions in Asia. Within Central Asia, its distribution includes parts of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. In the expansive territory of China, it can be found throughout the North-Central and South-Central provinces. Additionally, the species is well-established in the Manchuria region of China. Together, these locations highlight the diverse environmental range of Toxicodendron vernicifluum.

Region Area Source
Central Asia Tadzhikistan WCVP
Central Asia Uzbekistan WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Toxicodendron vernicifluum, is most valued for its specific botanical components used in traditional applications. The most significant part is the resin, which is extracted from the bark and is the primary source for producing high-quality urushi lacquer. Additionally, the heartwood of the tree is sometimes utilized, contributing to the plant's overall structural and medicinal profile in various traditional practices.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
resin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
heartwood 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Toxicodendron vernicifluum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, urushiols, butin, fisetin, lignin.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
urushiols 2 ★☆☆☆☆
butin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fisetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lignin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
urushiol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Toxicodendron vernicifluum has 11 reported activities identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antitumor.

Total activities
11
Scientific sources
20

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 5 ★★★☆☆
Anticancer 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiapoptotic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Chemopreventive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Genotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Toxicodendron vernicifluum has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include blood diseases, cancer, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress.

Total uses
9
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
blood diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mitochondrial dysfunction 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress injury 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatic diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
viral diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆