The Lacquer tree (Rhus trichocarpa) belongs to Anacardiaceae (the Sumac family). It is a semi-tall deciduous tree that is distributed all over Japan, as well as the Korean Peninsula and China. This tree grows commonly in mountains and can reach 3-8 m in height. It is dioecious. The leaves are odd-pinnate compound with 4-8 pairs of ovate or elliptic leaflets. The rachis and petioles are often tinged reddish. The panicles are borne on the axiles and the small yellowish-green flowers bloom from May to June. This tree resembles wax tree, though it is defined by grayish-white barks, heavyset leaves with concave veins and fruits with stinging hairs. The leaves and stems can give you a skin irritation if you touch them accidentally. In Chinese, it is called "毛漆樹" (mao qi shu).