Soft Lumbang, Banucalag nut, Philippine tung tree
Reutealis trisperma

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 15 m tall. The trunk is 35 cm across. The leaves are oval or heart shaped and 12-14 cm long by 12-13 cm wide. There are hairs on the veins underneath. Plants are separately male and female. The fruit is a flattened capsules 4-5 cm long by 5-7 cm wide. It has 3 sides.

There are 2-5 Aleurites species. The seed produces an oil.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical rainforests at low to medium altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Pacific, Philippines (country/location of origin), SE Asia, West Indies

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The seed is poisonous. It causes burning of the throat and mouth. It is eaten like Candle nut. It obviously needs processing.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Nuts, oil, poisonous

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In southern China plants flower in April and fruit in October.

Its other names

Local names

Balukanad, Lumpang banucalag, Pohon kemiri sunan

Synonyms

Aleurites saponaria Blanco; Aleurites trisperma Blanco; Camerium trispermum (Blanco) Kuntze;