Urushiol (you-ROO-shee-ol) 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.
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