Common Name:

General Information

Reutealis trisperma is an evergreen tree with a dense crown; it can grow up to 15 metres tall[, ]. The bole can be up to 35cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes cultivated in southeast Asia for the oil obtained from its seed and for medicinal use[, , ].

Known Hazards

The fruit is poisonous[].
The kernels, when fresh, have a pleasant nutty flavour, but leave a burning sensation in mouth, throat, oesophagus and stomach ; even a part of one nut may cause either violent vomiting within half an hour or else a terrific diarrhoea, beginning within a few hours after eating and lasting from 12 - 24 hours[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Philippines.

Habitat

Forests at low to medium elevations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can be grown in subtropical to tropical areas. They can tolerate occasional short-lived frosts with temperatures falling to about -2°c[].

A fast-growing tree, it can be 5 metres or more tall when 5 years old[].
Trees commence fruiting within a few years from seed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant has medicinal uses[]. It is probably the oil that is used. This is similar to tung oil, obtained from Aleurites spp., which is used externally to treat parasitic skin diseases, burns, scalds and wounds[].

The sap of the bark is used to cure scurf of the head[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The seed cake residue, after the extraction of oil, is a good fertilizer[].

Other Uses

A high-quality, quick-drying oil is obtained from the seed[, ]. The seeds contain 56% oil (bagilumbang oil). It is utilized for the production of paints, varnishes, soaps and for coating boats or as fuel oil[]. The oil was formerly employed in the Philippines for the production of a weak soap which was in demand among sailors owing to its property of lathering in sea water[]. The oil is an effective insecticide[]. The oil is similar to tung oil, obtained from Aleurites spp.[]. Tung oil is a very fast-dring oil with a wide range of applications, including medicinal[]. The oil is of best quality only when obtained from the fresh seeds, it deteriorates if not stored in hermetically sealed containers[]. The shells are easily cracked and the oil obtained from the pressed, shelled seeds is of much higher quality than that obtained from crushing the seeds in their shells[].

Propagation

Seed - sown fresh a germination rate of 98% can be achieved within 19 days[]. Seedlings can be 54cm tall within 12 months[].

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