Burmese lacquer tree

Melanorrhoea usitata
Illustration from Plantae Asiaticae Rariores
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Anacardiaceae
Genus:	Melanorrhoea
Species:	M. usitata
Binomial name
Melanorrhoea usitata Wall.

Melanorrhoea usitata (also known as Burmese lacquer,theetsee,thitsi or ringas) is a tree of the Anacardiaceae family.

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.

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. Timber (known as Borneo rosewood) is used for furniture and inlay work.

Both tree's sap and sawdust can cause dermatitis and skin irritation.

It is an endangered species.

Synonyms include: Gluta usitata Ding Hou.

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

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Wikipedia