Vernicia fordii
Vernicia fordii | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
Genus: | Vernicia |
Species: | V. fordii
|
Binomial name | |
Vernicia fordii (
Hemsl.) Airy Shaw | |
Synonyms | |
Aleurites fordii Hemsl. |
Vernicia fordii (usually known as the tung tree (
Cultivation and uses
The tung tree is valued for tung oil, which is derived from the seeds of the tree. Tung oil, also called China wood oil or nut oil, has traditionally been used in lamps in China. In modern times, it is used as an ingredient in paint, varnish, and caulk. It is also used as a wood finish for furniture and other wooden objects. After processing to remove gums in the oil, it was also used as a motor fuel.[3] Marco Polo wrote in the 13th century "The Chinese take some lime and chopped hemp, and these they knead together with a certain wood oil; and when the three are thoroughly amalgamated they hold like any glue, and with this mixture they paint their ships".
It has been introduced to Argentina, Malawi, Paraguay, Thailand, and the United States for oil production. Just before World War I, a number of seeds received from the
Global production of the fruit rose from just over 100,000 tonnes in 1970 to almost 200,000 tonnes by 1980. Fruit yields are typically in the range of 4.5–5 tonnes per hectare. A number of cultivars have been selected for increased yield and small tree size, including 'Folsom', 'Cahl', 'Isabel', 'La Crosser', and 'Lampton'.[3]
The wood of the tree is lightweight and strong, and is sometimes used as a substitute for
The tung tree is poisonous in all of its parts, including the fruit and the seeds, although some parts of the tree have been used for medicinal purposes in the past. According to the University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, just one seed from the fruit can be fatal, and other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and slowed breathing. The leaves can also give a rash similar to that from poison ivy.[9]
Chemistry
The plant contains the coumarinolignoid aleuritin and 5,6,7-trimethoxy coumarin.[10]
References
- ^ a b Stuppy, W.; van Welzen, P. C.; Klinratana, P.; Posa, M. C. T. "86. Vernicia". Flora of Thailand - Euphorbiaceae. Netherlands: National Herbarium.
- ^ "Vernicia fordii - Tung Oil Tree". Florida Nature.
- ^ a b c "Aleurites fordii Hemsl". Handbook of Energy Crops. Purdue University. 1997.
- LCCN 38027857.
- ^ Brown, K.; Keeler, W. (2005). "The History of Tung Oil" (PDF). Wildland Weeds. 9 (1): 4–6.
- ^ "Damage Assessment from Hurricane Camille". Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
- ^ "Introduced, Invasive and Noxious Plants / Weeds of Florida". USDA.
- ^ Apogee Components Condor: Glider using tung wood
- ^ "Aleurites fordii". Florida Invasive Plant Education. University of Florida. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- .
External links
- "Aleurites fordii (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw". Medicinal Plant Images Database. School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. (in Chinese) (in English)
- Ito, Y.; Yanase, S.; Tokuda, H.; Kishishita, M.; Ohigashi, H.; Hirota, M.; Koshimizu, K. (1983). "Epstein-Barr Virus Activation by Tung Oil, Extracts of Aleurites fordii and its Diterpene Ester 12-O-Hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate". Cancer Letters. 18 (1): 87–95. PMID 6297709.