Rhus verniciflua Stokes
With a range from the Himalayas to Japan, it is a medium-sized tree with large pinnate leaves and drooping panicles of flowers. It is the source of the famous varnish or lacquer of Japan. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Rhus vernicifera, De Candolle. Extends from Nepal to Japan. It forms a tree of fair size and yields the Japan-varnish. In India it ascends to 7,000 feet; but Stewart and Brandis are doubtful, whether the Japan species (R. Vernix, L.) is really identical with the Indian. The fruit yields vegetable wax. R. Wallichii (J. Hooker) of the Himalayas is a cognate species.’ [Ferdinand von Mueller – Select Extra-Tropical Plants readily eligible for Industrial Culture or Naturalisation p.324/1885].
Introduced to Britain from Nepal in 1823. [JD].
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [T.824/1843]. If this identification is correct, probably introduced to determine its potential to produce resins under Camden conditions.
Notes
Published Mar 17, 2010 - 03:16 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 11:22 AM
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Asia, including Indian subcontinent, China, Japan |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Varnish tree, Lacquer tree |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Rhus sp. (from India) |
| Confidence level | low |