Aleurites fordii

Common Name: tung oil tree

Family: Euohorbiaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: NA

Growth Habit: Tree

Origin: China

FISC Category: 2

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: During World War II (1939-1945)

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: CAUTION
  • Central: OK
  • South: OK
Aleurites fordii
Brenda Herring

Description

Deciduous tree to 12 m high. The petioles have 2 red glands at the tip. Leaves alternate, heart-shaped, lobed, dark green, to 15 cm wide. Flowers appear before leaves develop and are showy, white with red center. Fruits sphere to pear-shaped, and are green to dark brown/purple when mature. Each fruit has 4 to 5 seeds and tungoil is extracted from the kernals.

Habitat

Disturbed areas, successional hardwood forest

Comments

All portions of the plant are toxic. One seed can be deadly. Plants are reproductive between 2 to 4 years old and can spread by fruits and vegetatively. Tung oil tree can grow in a wide array of habitats.

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: Mechanical: manually cut down trees and hand pull seedlings. Remove all seeds.
  • Chemical: Basal bark (20% triclopyr ester). [IFAS]
  • Biological: The flea beetle (Aphthona nigriscutis) is a potential biological control agent.

Control Notes

Preventative control is key to controlling this species. Limit planting and remove existing plants being careful not to spread seeds.

References

IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2017. Aleurites fordii. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/Aleurites fordii/. Accessed September 18, 2017.

IFAS, UF, Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. 2017. Aleurites fordii. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/aleurites-fordii/Accessed September 18, 2017.

Dave's Garden. 2017. PlantFiles: tung oil tree (Aleurites fordii).http:/davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/72530/Accessed September 19, 2017.

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