Vernicia fordii
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aleurites fordii
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-eh-yoo-REE-teez FOR-dee-eye
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The tung oil tree is native to southern China in the spurge family. It can grow 40 ft tall and has hibiscus-type flowers that are white with red centers that bloom before the leaves appear. It can grow in full sun but also tolerates being an understory tree and is not very cold tolerant.
The seeds of the tung oil tree are rich in unsaturated oils and are harvested to be used in the production of lacquers, varnishes, linoleum, oilcloth, resins, paints, greases, brake-linings, polishing compounds, and artificial leather. Early in the 1900's, the importation of these oils reached millions of gallons per year. Due to the high demand for the oils, this tree was brought to the US by Gulf Coast farmers in search of a cash crop.
By the 1920's, there were over 10,000 acres of tung oil trees being grown along the Gulf Coast in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. The 1940's come along, synthetic resins begin to become an alternative. Production declined and it was no longer viable as an income-producing crop. The trees remained and were able to establish themselves in forest edges, rights of ways and urban green spaces. Its suckering habit has allowed it to flourish and spread. In FL, GA and AL it is considered an invasive and noxious weed.
Controlling its growth and spread has proven to be a challenge. Since they can reproduce through suckers, removal of a tree must be complete. After felling the tree, the remaining stump should be chemically treated immediately after the cutting is done.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to dieback and canker. All parts of this tree are poisonous, consumption can cause death. Its leaves can cause a rash similar to poison ivy. Spreading by suckers, it can become invasive. Please consider planting native trees. A few are listed to the left.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Vernicia fordii
- Species:
- fordii
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and Vietnam
- Distribution:
- AL, CA, FL, GA, LA, MS, PR, TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Attractive to bees, who pollinate the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Screening
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 2-3" fruits are large, globular, split into segments and contain a single large seed
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are pale pink to white, with red veins. They have 5-7 petals in large clusters and bloom before the leaves emerge. Each flower has 2 green or reddish sepals
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green leaves are alternate, simple, long-stalked, and heart-shaped but may be shallowly 3-lobed. They range from 6" to 10" long and 4-8 inches wide. The petioles are long with 2 conspicuous red glands at the base of each leaf. Both sides may have sparse hairs
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth, thin, brownish gray or green-gray with reddish dots. It exudes a milky white sap when cut.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- C-shaped, Cresent shaped
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are dark gray-brown with numerous reddish lenticels and circular leaf scars.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Children
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- One seed can be fatal for an adult. Symptoms may include severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, slowed breathing, and poor reflexes; may be fatal.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glycoside and phytotoxin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems