Here at Gardzen, we firmly believe that there are no “bad” plants—just plants that are in the wrong place or being misused. We’ve written occasionally in this blog about toxic plants, which can be dangerous to humans or animals. However, what happens when a toxic plant is not only useful but can be used to create beautiful things? That’s the case with Toxicodendron vernicifluum, the Chinese lacquer tree. T. vernicifluum is a beautiful tree, native to temperate portions of Asia. It also produces a sap that causes skin irritation similar to poison ivy, but that same sap can be used to create beautiful wood finishes and lacquers. This tree has a complicated relationship with human beings, so let’s dig in and learn more about Toxicodendron vernicifluum!
Gardzen Executive Summary
· Also known as Chinese lacquer tree and formally classified as Rhus verniciflua, the plant we now call Toxicodendron vernicifluum is cultivated across East and Southeast Asia.
· Toxicodendron vernicifluum originates in what are now India and Pakistan.
· As the name suggests, the Chinese lacquer tree produces a sap that can be used to make beautiful lacquers and wood finishes among other crafts.
· The sap of Toxicodendron vernicifluum is toxic, as are all parts of the plant. If a person or pet ingests any part of this plant please contact poison control or seek emergency care.
· This toxicity comes from a substance called urushiol, which is also found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
· Toxicodendron vernicifluum is a widely adaptable plant and can be grow in many locations with a temperate climate. However, due to its toxicity we recommend thinking twice before adding it to any garden space.
The Origins of the Chinese Lacquer Tree
Contrary to its popular name, the Chinese lacquer tree most likely originates in northern Indian and Pakistan. This deciduous tree can grow up to 50 feet/~15 meters in height, with lovely opposed pennate leaves vaguely reminiscent of the unrelated pecan tree. When blooming Toxicodendron vernicifluum produces clusters of small yellow flowers that develop into small, round, yellow fruits. From its South Asian origins, the Chinese lacquer tree is now grown across East Asia and parts of Southeast Asia, including China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
Here we issue a quick disclaimer: all parts of this plant are toxic for humans and pets. If a person or pet accidentally ingests some part of Toxicodendron vernicifluum, please contact emergency services. We strongly recommend wearing gloves, eye protection, and other PPE when handling or working around this plant.
What makes it so toxic? Well, that gets interesting too . . .
Is Toxicodendron vernicifluum Related to Poison Ivy?
The short answer is yes: Toxicodendron vernicifluum is a relative to poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), poison oak (Toxicodendron pubescens), and poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix). Their biological similarities are visible in their toxicity. Like poison ivy, Chinese lacquer tree contains a substance called urushiol, a toxic oil that causes skin irritation in many people and animals. As with poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, the urushiol in Toxicodendron vernicifluum is part of the plant’s defense mechanism, keeping grazing mammals from eating the plant while allowing birds—who are broadly immune to urushiol—to eat and spread the fruits and seeds.
It’s a clever biological system until humans get exposed to it, which may result in a painful, weeping rash that may require medical attention in some cases. So why is Toxicodendron vernicifluum not just distributed but cultivated so far from its native range? The answer lies in the sap which, while containing lots of urushiol, has a few other uses as well.
How Does Toxic Sap Becomes Beautiful Lacquer?
The sap of Toxicodendron vernicifluum is a thick, sticky, oily liquid that’s an unattractive gray-yellow in color. It causes an urushiol reaction on contact with human skin, much like poison ivy. However, unlike poison ivy, the sap of the Chinese lacquer tree can be collected, filtered, and then applied as a lacquer to surfaces like wood or ceramics to form a clear, hard, water-proof layer that also gives the lacquered object a beautiful luster. Furthermore, craftsman and artisans around Asia have found various ways to impart color to the lacquer derived from Toxicodendron vernicifluum, allowing for the creation of some truly beautiful lacquerware objects and art pieces.
The process of harvesting Toxicodendron vernicifluum sap looks a lot like the traditional harvesting of rubber from the rubber tree. The horticulturalist cuts a series of horizontal lines into the bark of a mature tree, deep enough to allow the sap to ooze out but not so deep as to permanently damage the tree itself. That sap is collected, filtered to remove impurities, and then either cured or heat-treated for use as a lacquer. The coloring agents are added at different stages of the process depending on the colorant used and the technique employed by the artisan doing the work. Once the sap had hardened, the toxic reaction stops for most people—though some especially sensitive folks may have a much more mild reaction with particular objects.
The results are just beautiful, and we’re including some photos in the blog so you can get a sense of the many traditions and uses around this substance. It’s worth your time to explore the world of lacquerware and lacquered art pieces—even simple home items take on a special kind of beauty when decorated this way.
Lacquerware, Art, and Allergies
Toxicodendron vernicifluum is a tree with a complex legacy and and equally complicated relationship with human beings. It’s toxic to us, but allows us to create some amazing art. Its sap has both utilitarian and aesthetic uses, and has been incorporated into artisanal traditions around the world. And yes, some of us in temperate climates could conceivably grow a Chinese lacquer tree of our own, but honestly we recommend thinking long and hard before doing so. It would be akin to growing poison ivy intentionally so unless we have the space, expertise, and patience to do so it’s probably best to appreciate this plant elsewhere.
We write a lot about plants that feed us and plants that add beauty and interest to our spaces. We rarely get to write about a plant that lets us create beautiful things and has for millennia. Toxicodendron vernicifluum is a reminder that everything has a use both in nature and for humans, and its up to use to find the best ways to live with the plants and the natural world around us.
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