Toxicodendron succedaneum
(wax tree)

Preferred Common Name

• wax tree

Other Scientific Names

• Rhus erosus Radlk.
• Rhus succedanea L.
• Rhus succedanea var. japonica Engl.
• Toxicodendron succedanea (L.) Mold.

International Common Names

• English: Japanese lacquer tree; Japanese tallow tree; Japanese wax tree; poison ivy; poison sumac; rhus tree; scarlet rhus; sumac; varnish tree
• Chinese: ye qi

Local Common Names

• Cuba: charum; guao blanco
• Korea, Republic of: gomyangochnamu
• South Africa: wasboom
• Sweden: vaxsumak
• Thailand: kaen mo; makkak khao; makok kiam

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Spermatophyta
•             Subphylum: Angiospermae
•                 Class: Dicotyledonae
•                     Order: Sapindales
•                         Family: Anacardiaceae
•                             Genus: Toxicodendron
•                                 Species: Toxicodendron succedaneum

The family Anacardiaceae comprises 80 genera and 870 species mostly distributed in tropical Africa, Asia and the Americas, with a small number of species occurring in subtropical and temperate regions (Nie et al., 2009; Stevens, 2012). Species within the genus Toxicodendron have often been included in the genus Rhus (sensu lato Cronquist, 1981). However, phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses have shown that Rhus should be delimited more narrowly, and that Toxicodendron and several other genera including Actinocheita, Cotinus, Malosma, Melanococca, Metopium and Searsia should be segregated from Rhus (Miller et al., 2001; Moffett, 2007). To date, the delimitation of Toxicodendron still remains controversial, and while some authors treat Toxicodendron as a subgenus of Rhus, others prefer to treat Toxicodendron as a separate genus (Miller et al., 2001; Nie et al., 2009; Stevens, 2012).

The following description is taken from Flora of China Editorial Committee (2016):

Tree or shrub, 1-2(-10) m tall; branchlets are glabrous to pubescent, terminal buds glabrous to tomentose. Petiole is 6-9 cm, glabrous or pubescent; rachis terete or narrowly winged distally, glabrous to pubescent; leaf blade imparipinnately compound, 20-35 cm; 5-15 leaflets, opposite or subopposite; leaflet petiolule indistinct or 2-5 mm; leaflet blade oblong-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 3-16 × 0.9-5.5 cm, papery or thinly leathery, glabrous to sparsely pubescent on both surfaces, glaucous abaxially, base oblique, rounded or broadly cuneate, margin entire, apex acuminate to caudate-acuminate, lateral veins 15-22 pairs, slightly prominent on both surfaces. Inflorescence is paniculate, 7-15 cm, many branched, glabrous. Pedicel is 2 mm, flowers yellowish green, 2 mm in diameter. Calyx is glabrous, lobes broadly ovate, 1 mm, obtuse apically. Petals are oblong, 2 mm, obtuse apically, with quite conspicuous featherlike venation pattern, revolute at anthesis. Stamens are exserted; filaments linear, 2 mm; anthers ovoid, 1 mm. Disk is 5-lobed. Ovary is globose and glabrous. Drupe is large, asymmetrical, 7-10 mm in diameter, compressed, apex eccentric; epicarp thin, yellow, glabrous; mesocarp thick, white, waxy, with brown longitudinal resin ducts. 

In New Zealand, T. succedaneum was introduced as an ornamental tree and was listed as naturalized in 1984 (NZPCN, 2016). In Australia, the species was introduced and cultivated as a popular ornamental tree in the mid-20th century. It became problematic in the Sydney region in the 1980s and, by 2004, it was declared a noxious weed across New South Wales (Sydney Weeds, 2012; Government of South Australia, 2014; Weeds of Australia, 2016). The species was originally cultivated in Brazil, but escaped after introduction and is now listed as invasive there (Kubitzki, 2010).

Soil drainage

• free

Soil reaction

• acid

Soil texture

• heavy
• light
• medium

Natural Dispersal

T. succedaneum spreads by seeds. Birds that eat its fruits spread the seeds in their droppings (Sydney Weeds, 2012; NZPCN, 2016).

Accidental Introduction

Seeds of T. succedaneum can be spread through the movement of garden soil. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years (Sydney Weeds, 2012; NZPCN, 2016).

Intentional Introduction

T. succedaneum has been intentionally introduced and cultivated as an ornamental tree for its brightly coloured autumn foliage (Sydney Weeds, 2012; USDA-ARS, 2016; Weeds of Australia, 2016).

In South Africa, T. succedaneum has been recorded invading moist forest and plantation margins (Invasive Species South Africa, 2016). In Australia and New Zealand, it is invasive in disturbed areas of woodland and along roadsides, and has the potential to spread from domestic gardens into surrounding urban bushlands (Government of South Australia, 2014; NZPCN, 2016; Weeds of Australia, 2016). Currently it is regarded as an environmental weed in Australia (Weeds of Australia, 2016).

All species within the genus Toxicodendron produce the skin-irritating oil urushiol, which can cause a severe allergic reaction in humans. In most cases, rash symptoms appear within 24 hours. If a severe reaction occurs, medical attention is needed to prevent damage to the skin. Since the skin reaction is allergic, people may develop progressively stronger reactions after repeated exposures (Nie et al., 2009; NZPCN, 2016; USDA-ARS, 2016).

• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Has a broad native range
• Abundant in its native range
• Highly adaptable to different environments
• Is a habitat generalist
• Highly mobile locally
• Long lived
• Has high reproductive potential
• Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year

• Conflict
• Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
• Modification of successional patterns
• Negatively impacts human health
• Reduced native biodiversity
• Threat to/ loss of native species

• Causes allergic responses
• Induces hypersensitivity
• Poisoning
• Rooting

• Difficult/costly to control

In Asia, T. succedaneum is cultivated for its fruits, from which a wax is extracted. This wax is used in varnishes, polishes, ointments and plasters (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2016). The wax is also used in traditional Asian medicine (Aggarwal, 2001). Species within the genus Toxicodendron have lacquer in the phloem and are often used for making anticorrosive and decorative paints and dyes (Nie et al., 2009).