Tung Oil Tree

Tree, to 15 m with appressed golden-sericeous indumentum. Leaves: petiole long, to 25 cm; lamina broadly ovate, entire to 3-lobed, with 2 sessile discoid glands at the base of the lamina and one in each of the sinuses of the lobes. Inflorescences usually bisexual, broadly corymbose. Flowers appearing before the leaves. Male flowers: petals c.3 cm, clawed, white; staminal column to 2 cm. Female flowers similar to male but ovary sparingly pubescent. Fruit c. 3.5 × 4 cm, subspherical, apiculate, smooth or faintly lined.

Rare

S China, Burma and N Vietnam; commonly cultivated in the tropics