Reutealis trisperma (Philippine tung)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Soil Tolerances
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Impact Summary
- Environmental Impact
- Social Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Reutealis trisperma (Blanco) Airy Shaw
Preferred Common Name
- Philippine tung
Other Scientific Names
- Aleurites saponarius Blanco
- Aleurites trispermus Blanco
- Camerium trispermum (Blanco) Kuntze
International Common Names
- English: Philippine tung tree; Philippines tung; soft lumbang
- Spanish: arbol de tung; javillio
- Chinese: san zi tong
Local Common Names
- Cuba: Aleurites
- Philippines: baguilumbang; balokanad; banukalad; banunkalag; calumban; kalumbang; lumbang-banukalad; lumbang-gubat
EPPO code
- ALETR (Aleurites trisperma)
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageR. trisperma is a tree, endemic to the Philippines, which has been intentionally introduced elsewhere to be used as a timber species. It has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized into natural areas. To date, this species is listed as invasive only in the Dominican Republic (Kairo et al., 2003).
Within its native distribution range, high rates of habitat loss through logging and shifting cultivation have led to considerable population declines of R. trisperma (IUCN, 2014). It is listed by the IUCN Red List as ‘vulnerable’
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Euphorbiales
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Genus: Aleurites
- Species: Reutealis trisperma
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageEuphorbiaceae includes about 218 genera and 6745 species distributed worldwide (Stevens, 2012). Within this family, three closely related genera Aleurites, Reutealis and Vernicia, together constitute the tribe Aleuritideae (subfamily Crotonoideae). Reutealis is a monotypic plant genus and the single species, R. trisperma is endemic to the Philippines (Stuppy et al., 1999). R. trisperma can easily be distinguished from Aleurites and Vernicia by its five-angular or five-ribbed rather than terete twigs, the presence of rather persistent, hooded bracts, and spatulately flattened rather than terete stigmas (Stuppy et al., 1999).
Description
Top of pageTrees to 15 m tall; trunk to 35 cm dbh. Petiole 14-15 cm; leaf blade ovate or ovate-cordate, 12-14 × 12-13 cm, 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. Plants dioecious, sometimes monoecious. Male inflorescences flat-topped, with many cymelets. Male flowers: calyx cylindric, approximately 13 mm, 2- or 3-lobed, glabrous; petals 5, yellowish white, obovate, obovate-spatulate, or obovate-lanceolate, 8-16 × 3-5 mm; stamens 10-13, in 2 series; outer filaments free, inner ones connate at base. Female inflorescences flat-topped, racemose, or thyrsoid. Female flowers: ovary 3-celled, ovoid-globose-trigonous, densely appressed hairy; styles bifid. Capsule depressed globose to obtusely trigonous; pericarp 4-5 × 5-6.5 cm, longitudinally 3-angular, rugose, densely velutinous-pubescent (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014).
Distribution
Top of pageR. trisperma is endemic to Philippines (Govaerts, 2014). It is cultivated in Indonesia, China, India, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic (Govaerts, 2014; USDA-ARS, 2014).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 10 Jan 2020Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asia |
|||||||
China | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Guangdong | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Guangxi | Present | Introduced | |||||
India | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Delhi | Present | Introduced | |||||
Indonesia | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Java | Present | Introduced | Naturalized | Cultivated and naturalized | |||
Philippines | Present | Native | Luzon, Mindanao, Negros. Listed as 'vulnerable' by IUCN (2014) | ||||
North America |
|||||||
Cuba | Present | Introduced | |||||
Dominican Republic | Present | Introduced | Invasive |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageR. trisperma has been intentionally introduced to be used as a timber species (IUCN, 2014). In the West Indies, this species first appears in herbarium collections made in Cuba in 1932 and the Dominican Republic in 1955 (US National Herbarium).
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageThe risk of introduction of R. trisperma is moderate. This species has large and heavy seeds which are poorly suited to long-distance dispersal. Introductions into new habitats undoubtedly have to be mediated by humans. However, in areas where this species has been planted, there is a potential risk for it to escape into the wild.
Habitat
Top of pageR. trisperma grows naturally in humid forests at low and medium altitudes. This species is also grown in towns, along roadsides, and in plantations as a cultivated tree.
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed forests, plantations and orchards | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageA fast-growing tree, it can be 5 metres or more tall when 5 years old. Trees commence fruiting within a few years.
R. trisperma trees are dioecious and sometimes monoecious. In Asia, this species flowers during April and flowers are principally pollinated by bees. Fruiting occurs in October (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014).
Plants can be grown in subtropical to tropical areas. They can tolerate occasional short-lived frosts with temperatures falling to about -2°C
Climate
Top of pageClimate | Status | Description | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
Af - Tropical rainforest climate | Preferred | > 60mm precipitation per month | |
Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Preferred | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) |
Rainfall
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Mean annual rainfall | 700 | 2500 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageR. trisperma spreads by seeds. Within its native distribution range, the major dispersal agents of the fruits are birds. For this species, long-distance dispersal is mostly related to human-activities.
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Forestry | Timber species | Yes | Yes | IUCN (2014) |
Industrial purposes | Seeds for oil production | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2014) |
Timber trade | Yes | Yes | IUCN (2014) |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Economic/livelihood | Positive and negative |
Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
Environmental Impact
Top of pageR. trisperma has escaped from cultivation and naturalized into natural forests causing the smothering of native species and interrupting the natural succession (Kairo et al., 2003).
Social Impact
Top of pageFruits and seeds of R. trisperma are poisonous to humans (Flora of India, 2014).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Tolerant of shade
- Long lived
- Fast growing
- Modification of successional patterns
- Monoculture formation
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Causes allergic responses
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Poisoning
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Top of pageR. trisperma is grown as a timber species. Wood is used for carving and to make furniture, small utensils, and matches. Seeds are used to extract oil and in traditional medicine (Holilah et al., 20014). Seeds are a strong purgative and the bark sap is used as a cure for scurf. The oil yielded by the seeds 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 (Stuppy et al., 1999). A recent study suggests the potential use of R. trisprema seeds as a new non-edible source for the production of biodiesel (Holilah et al., 20014).
Uses List
Top of pageMaterials
- Lipids
- Oils
- Wood/timber
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Traditional/folklore
References
Top of pageFlora of China Editorial Committee, 2014. Flora of China. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2
Flora of India, 2014. Flowers of India, Online resources. http://www.flowersofindia.net/
Govaerts R, 2014. Family Euphorbiaceae - World Checklist of Euphorbiaceae. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Holilah H; Prasetyoko D; Oetami TP; Santosa EK; Muhammad Y; Bahruji H; Fansuri H; Ediati R; Juwari J, 2014. The potential of Reutealis trisperma seed as a new non-edible source for biodiesel production. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 5(4):347-353.
IUCN, 2014. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.iucnredlist.org
Stevens PF, 2012. Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/
USDA-ARS, 2014. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch.aspx
Distribution References
CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status inferred from regional distribution. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014. Flora of China., St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2
Flora of India, 2014. Flowers of India, Online resources., http://www.flowersofindia.net/
Govaerts R, 2014. Family Euphorbiaceae - World Checklist of Euphorbiaceae., London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
USDA-ARS, 2014. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
Flora of China | http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2 | |
IUCN Red List | http://www.redlist.org |
Contributors
Top of page07/01/15 Original text by:
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
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