Otaheite Walnut, Lumbang Tree
Reutealis trisperma

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

Reutealis trisperma or commonly known as Otaheite Walnut or Lumbang Tree is a fast-growing evergreen tree endemic to the Philippines. It grows up to 15 m in height and 35cm in bole diameter. Its fruits are poisonous and no plant part is edible. However, the tree is used medicinally for parasitic skin diseases, burns, scalds, wounds, and dandruff. Seed oil is used for the production of paints, varnishes, soaps, for coating boats, or as fuel oil.

Reutealis trisperma is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Forests at low to medium elevations.

Southeast Asia - Philippines.

Conservation Status: Status: Vulnerable A1cd

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

The oil is used medicinally but no edible uses have been found.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 2

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.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating: 4

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.

Fertilizer: Provides a concentrated solid plant food.

Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

Lighting: Plants that can be used as torches etc. See also Oil and Wax.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Paint: Plants used directly as a paint. Does not include oil plants and dyes that can be used as ingredients in paints.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

Soap making: Plants used as an ingredient in making soaps. Does not include the essential oils, dyes and oils that are also used in making soap.

Varnish: Plants that can be used as a varnish without any special treatment. Does not include varnishes made from oils etc.

How it is grown

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.

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

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 9-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

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.

Its other names

Local names

Lumpang banucalag, Balukanad,

Synonyms

Aleurites saponarius Blanco Aleurites trispermus Blanco Camerium trispermum (Blanco) Kuntze