Common Name: Chinese White Olive

General Information

Canarium album is a fast-growing evergreen tree, usually growing from 7 - 25 metres tall, with some specimens reaching heights of up to 35 metres[, ]. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 80cm in diameter[, ], exceptionally to 150cm[].
The tree produces a fruit that is a popular food in China. It also has medicinal purposes and is a source of wood and resin. It is commonly harvested from the wild and is sold in local markets. The tree is also often cultivated, especially in tropical Asia, both for its fruit and as an ornamental[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan) to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.

Habitat

Primary and secondary forests on slopes, valleys, also cultivated; at elevations of 100 - 1,300 metres[, ]. Open to dense forests, on dry to moist soils, usually at elevations from 400 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Canarium album is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of southern China and Vietnams, and is also cultivated in subtropical and cool tropical climates[]. It will only succeed outdoors in the mildest regions of the temperate zone.
Grows best in a sunny position[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or preserved[]. The fatty pulp of the fruits is eaten raw, pickled, candied or preserved in honey[]. Highly esteemed as a condiment or side dish[]. Used like olives[]. The yellow-green ovoid or spindle-shaped fruit is 25 - 35 mm long and up to 20mm wide[, ].

Seed[, , ]. Rather small and so not much used[].

An oil can be extracted from the pulp[]. Extracted from the seed[].

Medicinal

The fruits and seeds are used medicinally[].

The fruit is antidote, sialagogue[, ]. It is used to promote salivation, purify the lungs, stimulate the appetite and eliminate apprehension[]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and rheumatism[]. It is also believed to remedy indigestion and to combat drunkeness[]. It is used as an antidote to intoxication by alcohol or from eating poisonous fish[]. It is also used in the treatment of sore throat[].

The powdered seed is said to dissolve fish bones that have been swallowed accidentally, and also to cure earache[].

Other Uses

An aromatic resin, extracted from the stem, is used like incense[, , ]. The resin is used for incense, in making joss sticks or as perfume oil[, ]. It is also used as a turpentine, and raw material for the paint and printing industries[].

The three-sided nuts of the Chinese white olive, Canarium album, are often carved with images of the Buddha and used as prayer beads[].

The wood is susceptible to termites[]. It is used for sawing board, house construction, matches and boxes[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no specific information for this species but seeds of this genus generally have a hard seed coat and germinate erratically. Filing away some of the seed coat to allow moisture to enter more readily, without damaging the seed, will encourage a faster and more even germination[].