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Summary

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.

Physical Characteristics

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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

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

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

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

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Parasiticide Skin

The plant has medicinal uses[266 ]. 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[K ]. The sap of the bark is used to cure scurf of the head[345 ].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fertilizer Hair Insecticide Lighting Oil Paint Parasiticide Soap making Varnish

Agroforestry Uses: The seed cake residue, after the extraction of oil, is a good fertilizer[345 ]. Other Uses A high-quality, quick-drying oil is obtained from the seed[345 , 377 ]. 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[317 ]. 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[327 ]. The oil is an effective insecticide[345 ]. The oil is similar to tung oil, obtained from Aleurites spp.[377 ]. Tung oil is a very fast-dring oil with a wide range of applications, including medicinal[K ]. The oil is of best quality only when obtained from the fresh seeds, it deteriorates if not stored in hermetically sealed containers[345 ]. 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[345 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Plants can be grown in subtropical to tropical areas. They can tolerate occasional short-lived frosts with temperatures falling to about -2°c[377 ]. A fast-growing tree, it can be 5 metres or more tall when 5 years old[345 ]. Trees commence fruiting within a few years from seed[345 ].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sown fresh a germination rate of 98% can be achieved within 19 days[345 ]. Seedlings can be 54cm tall within 12 months[345 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Lumpang banucalag, Balukanad,

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Vulnerable A1cd

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

(Blanco) Airy Shaw

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Reutealis trisperma - (Blanco) Airy Shaw