Japanese sumac; Rhus trichocarpa
A deciduous tree native to Japan and East Asia, known for its bright autumn foliage. Contact with the plant can cause skin irritation similar to poison ivy.
In autumn, the leaves of the Japanese sumac turn bright red.
Be careful, as touching Japanese sumac can cause a rash.
Katakana spelling is common for plant names; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the plant is almost always written in kana.
The name ヤマウルシ literally means 'mountain lacquer tree' (山 + 漆), referring to its natural habitat and its resemblance to the lacquer tree (ウルシ). The exact historical derivation is uncertain.