Reutealis trisperma (Blco.) Airyshaw
| Kannada Name : | - |
| Common Name : | Phillipine tung |
| Family Name : | Euphorbiaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Reutealis trisperma |
| Species Type : | Exotic |
| Phenology : | Evergreen |
| Conservation Status : | Not known |
| Flowering Period : | March - April |
| Fruiting Period : | March - April |
| Origin : | Phillipines |
Uses
A drying oil is obtained from the seed. It was formerly made into a weak soap which was popular with sailors as it lathered with sea water. The oil has been widely utilized in the Philippines for illumination, for lubrication and to caulk ships. The oil is said to be an effective insecticide and can be applied as a wood preservative. The wood can be made into tea boxes, matches, wooden shoes and light construction material. Medicinally, sap from the bark has been used to cure scurf and the seed as a strong purgative.
Description
Evergreen trees, up to 15 m tall. Leaves simple, alternate, ovate or ovate-cordate, abaxial surface with hair-tufts in many vein-axils, base usually deeply cordate with rounded lobes, sometimes rounded or obtuse on old trees, apex gland-tipped, margin entire. Plants dioecious, sometimes monoecious. Male inflorescences flat-topped, with many cymelets. Female inflorescences flat-topped, racemose, or thyrsoid. Flowers unisexual, white. Capsule depressed globose to obtusely trigonous; pericarp, longitudinally 3-angular, rugose, densely velutinous-pubescent.
