Chinese wood-oil-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese wood-oil-tree
• tung-oil-tree
• tung oil tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aleurites fordii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is categorized within the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic classification is defined by the genus Vernicia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across both African and Asian continents. In South Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Moving to Asia, the species is widely distributed throughout various regions of China. Specifically, it inhabits the areas of China North-Central and China South-Central. Additionally, its range extends to the tropical island province of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vernicia fordiii is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and diverse environmental settings, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1600 m AMSL. With a mean elevational range centered around 1000 m AMSL, the species demonstrates significant adaptability across different vertical gradients within its landscape. Furthermore, its habitat preferences include coastal regions, indicating an ability to thrive in maritime environments as well as higher-altitude terrestrial ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Life history

The life history of Vernicia fordii is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its buds are elevated well above the ground level on woody stems, a structural trait that defines its growth habit. This species exhibits a deciduous phenology, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its natural biological cycle. Its developmental strategy is categorized under the phanerophyte life form, ensuring its survival through its robust, woody architecture.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vernicia fordii is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting organism. This species is terrestrial in nature, neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and grows as an independent plant rather than a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, with a minimum height of 3 m, a mean height of 8.5 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

8.5 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vernicia fordii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure includes leaves that typically exhibit a cordate form with entire margins, lacking both thorns and spines. Morphologically, the leaves vary in size, with a minimum length of 8 cm and a maximum length of 20 cm, maintaining an average length of 13 cm; their width ranges from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. Regarding its structural composition, the plant possesses a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 526 mg/cm³, reflecting its internal tissue density. Additionally, Vernicia fordii does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on available soil nitrogen for its developmental processes.

Leaf form :

cordate

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

526 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vernicia fordii is characterized by a monoecious sexual reproduction system, where both male and female reproductive structures are present on the same plant. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes within the same month, though the timing can be variable. Pollination is a biotic process, primarily driven by insects, with bees identified as a key pollinator. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that vary in width, with a minimum diameter of 4 cm, a mean width of 4.25 cm, and a maximum width reaching 6 cm. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, which aids in its reproductive success. The resulting seeds are uniform in mass, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values, as well as the mean, consistently measured at 1.136 g.

Flowering time :

May

Fruit width max:

6 cm

Fruit width mean:

4.25 cm

Fruit width min:

4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed mass mean:

1.136 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vernicia fordii has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 12-O-Hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate, 12-O-Palmitoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate, 13-Acetyl-16-hydroxyphorbol, 3,3'-di-o-methyl ellagic acid, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

12-O-Hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate

1. Princess Takamatsu symposia

12-O-Palmitoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate

1. Dr. Duke

13-Acetyl-16-hydroxyphorbol

1. Dr. Duke

3,3'-di-o-methyl ellagic acid

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

METHYL GALLATE

1. Dr. Duke

Phytosterols

1. Dr. Duke

SAPONIN

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Vernicia fordii has 119 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations