Common Name: Vegetable Tallow

General Information

Triadica sebifera is a fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree, usually reaching a height of up to 8 metres, with occasional specimens to 15 metres[, ]. The bole is usually knarled, it can be 40cm or more in diameter and contains a white latex[].
The tree is widely utilized within its native range as a source of oils, medicines and various commodities. It has often been cultivated in the past, from the warm temperate zone to the tropics, for its seeds which are a source of vegetable tallow and a drying oil. The cost of harvesting the seeds, however, greatly reduced interest in growing the plant. Interest has increased again since the 1980's as a potential fuel and biomass producer on marginal soils[, , ]. The plant is widely grown as an ornamental, especially in seasonal climates where its leaves turn a brilliant red before they fall[].
Triadica sebifera has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

The sap is poisonous and may also cause skin irritation[, ]. Effects are usually mild and fairly short-lived[].
The oil obtained from the seed kernel is poisonous and must be kept seperate from the edible wax that coats the seed[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, Japan, Vietnam

Habitat

Wilds of the Huang He valley, forests on limestone, widely cultivated; at elevations up to 100 metres[]. Found wild in the foothills around Dehra Dun[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Triadica sebifera is a plant of the warm temperate to subtropical zones, it has also been cultivated successfully in tropical areas[]. It is usually found at elevations from sea level to 800 metres[]. Optimum conditions for growth are a mean annual rainfall of 1,500 - 3,000mm and a mean annual temperature of 15 - 30°c[]. Plants can withstand a few degrees of frost[], with one report that it can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures falling as low as -19°c and a mean minimum temperature in the coolest month of 0°c[].
The plant is shade tolerant and can grow under closed canopies[]. It is said to thrive in alluvial forests, on low alluvial plains, and on rich leaf-molds, growing best in well-drained clayey-peat soils[]. It thrives in waterlogged and moist locations and survives salt-water flooding[]. Grows well on canal banks, steep mountain slopes, granite hills and sandy beaches, succeeding in alkaline, saline or acid soils[]. Tolerates a wide range of soils within a pH range of 5 - 8[]. The formation of a taproot allows this species to tolerate extended drought, with dry seasons of up to 5 months[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation in N. America and other areas of moderately high annual rainfall, and has become weedy, in places a serious pest, displacing native vegetation[, ]. It has a rapid growth rate; precocious and prolific seeding; adaptability to a wide variety of soil conditions; tolerance of drought, flooding and a degree of salinity; effective dispersal of seeds by avian vectors and water; and a high germination rate - all of which contribute to the invasiveness of this species. It is declared noxious in several US states where it is a serious invasive in natural areas[]. It also apparently produces root secretions that modify soil chemistry and discourage the establishment of native species[].
Vegetable tallow is a fast grower, increasing in height by around 1 metre a year for its first 8 - 10 years, It can be 13 metres tall at the age of 20 years, with a bole 40cm in diameter[].
Plants require from 3 - 8 years to commence bearing, but then continue to bear for an average of 70 - 100 years[].
Yields of 14 tonnes of seed per hectare, containing 2.6 tonnes of oil and 2.8 tones of tallow have been achieved[]. This yield could increase with age[].
The fruits yield two types of fats - the outer covering of the seeds contains a solid fat with a low iodine value and is known as Chinese Vegetable Tallow whilst the kernels produce a drying oil with high iodine value which is called Stillingia Oil[, , ]. Many named varieties have been developed in the Orient, especially in Taiwan, for improved oil production[].
Responds well to coppicing[, ].

Edible Uses

The wax from the seed is used as a lard substitute, as a substitute cacao butter and to increase the consistency of soft edible fats[, , ]. The seed contains 8.1 - 9.2% protein and 40.5 - 50.7% fat[].
The fruits yield two types of fats - the outer covering of the seeds contains a solid fat with a low iodine value - this is edible and is known as Chinese Vegetable Tallow. The kernels produce a drying oil with high iodine value - this is poisonous and is called Stillingia Oil[, , ].

Medicinal

The leaves and the roots are depurative, diuretic and laxative[, , ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of oedema, constipation, poisoning by two plants - Polygonum perfoliatum and Tripterygium wilfordii, skin diseases etc[, ]. The leaves are particularly useful for treating boils and shingles[, ].

The seed is antidote, emetic, hydragogue and purgative[]. In China it is taken internally, which is a rather questionable practice considering its toxic nature[].

The root bark is diuretic[]. It is used in the treatment of snake bites and skin ulcers[]. It is said to be effective in the treatment of schistosomiasis[].

The juice of the tree (the sap is probably meant here[]) is acrid and vesicant[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Vegetable tallow is used for various purposes in agroforestry. A fast-growing plant, it is a good soil binder and contributes to nutrient recycling[, ]. When growing in areas polluted by heavy metals it has been shown to concentrate various of these metals in its tissues. It has a potential for use in phytoremediation projects as a means of locking these metals up and helping to restore the fertility of the soil[]
It is used as a shade tree in tea plantations[, ].
Because it has a high woody-biomass production, the plant is potentially an important source of energy[]. In the United States the plant showed itself to be an interesting woody biomass supplier for energy production on poorly drained and saline soils in the hot southern coastal region, yielding 6 - 10 tonnes per hectare dry biomass (leaves, wood and seed) per year[].

Other Uses

The seed is coated with a wax known as Chinese vegetable tallow[]. This wax, which comprises about 24% of the seed[], can be used to make candles and soap[, , , , , ]. It has excellent burning quality, and gives an inodorous clear bright flame[]. The wax is also used for making soap, cloth dressing and fuel[]. Pure tallow fat is known in commerce as Pi-yu[].
The wax is separated from the seed by steeping it in hot water and skimming off the wax as it floats to the surface[, ]. The wax is solid at temperatures below 40°c[]. It is said to change grey hair to black[].

The seed contains about 20% of a drying oi known as Stillingia oill[, ]. It is used to make candles and soap[, , ]. The oil is used in making varnishes and native paints because of its quick-drying properties, and as a waterproofing for umbrellas[, ]. It is also used in machine oils and as a crude lamp oil[]. The pure oil expressed from the inner part of the seeds is known in commerce as Ting-yu[].

The residual cake, after the oil is expressed, is used as a fuel or a manure, particularly for tobacco fields[, ].

The leaves are rich in tannin[]. A black dye can be obtained by boiling them in alum water[, , , ]. It is used to dye silk black[, ].

The plant is used as a soil binder along the sides of roads and canals[].

The wood is used as an incense[].

The wood is white, even and close grained, light, soft or moderately hard[, ]. It is suitable for carving and is also used for making blocks in Chinese printing, furniture making, toys[].
The wood is light and soft. It is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - do not cold stratify the seed since this can lead to secondary dormancy. It usually germinates within 4 weeks[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood.
Layering.
Suckers

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is greater, 5 or 9?