Gluta usitata

Gluta usitata
Illustration by Vishnupersaud from Plantae Asiaticae Rariores
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Anacardiaceae
Subfamily:	Anacardioideae
Genus:	Gluta
Species:	G. usitata
Binomial name
Gluta usitata (Wall.) Ding Hou
Synonyms[1]
Melanorrhoea usitata Wall.

Gluta usitata,[1] previously known as Melanorrhoea usitata,[2] is an Asian tree species in the family Anacardiaceae. It may be known as Burmese lacquer,[3] theetsee,[2] thitsi[4] or ringas.[5]

It has been identified as an endangered species in Viet Nam, where it may be called sơn đào.[6]

Description

It is a medium to large deciduous tree from the dry deciduous forest with a straight clean cylindrical bole and a spreading crown of dark green leaves.[4]

This species is used in Burma and northern Thailand as a source of lacquer used for producing varnish, waterproof or preservative paint, glue, ceramic and lacquerware.[2][4] Timber (known as Borneo rosewood[5][7]) is used for furniture and inlay work.[2]

The tree's sap and sawdust can cause dermatitis and skin irritation.[2]

An incompletely identified 4-heptadec(en)yl catechol, which was named thitsiol, has been reported to occur in this species.[2] Sap also contains urushiol.[8]

References

1. Ding Hou (1978) in: Blumea, 24(1): 14
2. Melanorrhoea usitata in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
3. Melanorrhoea usitata Archived 2012-08-14 at the Wayback Machine at ZipcodeZoo.com
4. Khine Khine Tun, Khin May Lwin. "Study on the Betterment of Fast Drying Quality of Myanmar Lacquer through Modification Method" (PDF). Myanmar Academy of Agricultural, Forestry, Livestock and Fishery Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2005. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
5. Howard, Alexander L (2007). A Manual of the Timbers of the World - Their Characteristics and Uses. pp. 225, 317. ISBN 978-1-4067-3350-1.
6. Nghia, Nguyen Hoang. "Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources in Vietnam". Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
7. "Borneo Rosewood (melanorrhea usitata)". Griffin Exotic Wood. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
8. "Economically Important Plant Families". Archived from the original on 27 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.

External links

• Media related to Gluta usitata at Wikimedia Commons
• Type specimen of Melanorrhoea usitata
• Isotype