Urushiol - Definition and Overview

Urushiol is any of several related chemicals found in plants of the Family Anacardiaceae, especially Toxicodendron sp. (e.g., poison ivy), and causing a skin rash on contact. The name comes from urushi, a lacquer produced in Japan from the sap of kiurushi trees (Toxicodendron vernicifluum). Chemically, urushiol is 1-alkyl phene-2,3-ol; the alkyl group has 15 or 17 carbons and may be unsaturated, depending on the species of plant.

External links

• Poison Oak (http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0802.htm) at Wayne's Word
• The Poison Ivy Tutorial (http://www.cattail.nu/ivy/ivy_index.html)