Common Name: Vegetable Tallow

General Information

Triadica sebifera is a fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree, usually reaching a height of up to 8 metres, with occasional specimens to 15 metres[, ]. The bole is usually knarled, it can be 40cm or more in diameter and contains a white latex[].
The tree is widely utilized within its native range as a source of oils, medicines and various commodities. It has often been cultivated in the past, from the warm temperate zone to the tropics, for its seeds which are a source of vegetable tallow and a drying oil. The cost of harvesting the seeds, however, greatly reduced interest in growing the plant. Interest has increased again since the 1980's as a potential fuel and biomass producer on marginal soils[, , ]. The plant is widely grown as an ornamental, especially in seasonal climates where its leaves turn a brilliant red before they fall[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation in N. America and other areas of moderately high annual rainfall, and has become weedy, in places a serious pest, displacing native vegetation[, ]. It has a rapid growth rate; precocious and prolific seeding; adaptability to a wide variety of soil conditions; tolerance of drought, flooding and a degree of salinity; effective dispersal of seeds by avian vectors and water; and a high germination rate - all of which contribute to the invasiveness of this species. It is declared noxious in several US states where it is a serious invasive in natural areas[]. It also apparently produces root secretions that modify soil chemistry and discourage the establishment of native species[].

Known Hazards

The sap is poisonous and may also cause skin irritation[, ]. Effects are usually mild and fairly short-lived[].
The oil obtained from the seed kernel is poisonous and must be kept seperate from the edible wax that coats the seed[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, Japan, Vietnam

Habitat

Wilds of the Huang He valley, forests on limestone, widely cultivated; at elevations up to 100 metres[]. Found wild in the foothills around Dehra Dun[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects,
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Triadica sebifera is a plant of the warm temperate to subtropical zones, it has also been cultivated successfully in tropical areas[]. It is usually found at elevations from sea level to 800 metres[]. Optimum conditions for growth are a mean annual rainfall of 1,500 - 3,000mm and a mean annual temperature of 15 - 30°c[]. Plants can withstand a few degrees of frost[], with one report that it can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures falling as low as -19°c and a mean minimum temperature in the coolest month of 0°c[].
The plant is shade tolerant and can grow under closed canopies[]. It is said to thrive in alluvial forests, on low alluvial plains, and on rich leaf-molds, growing best in well-drained clayey-peat soils[]. It thrives in waterlogged and moist locations and survives salt-water flooding[]. Grows well on canal banks, steep mountain slopes, granite hills and sandy beaches, succeeding in alkaline, saline or acid soils[]. Tolerates a wide range of soils within a pH range of 5 - 8[]. The formation of a taproot allows this species to tolerate extended drought, with dry seasons of up to 5 months[].
Vegetable tallow is a fast grower, increasing in height by around 1 metre a year for its first 8 - 10 years, It can be 13 metres tall at the age of 20 years, with a bole 40cm in diameter[].
Plants require from 3 - 8 years to commence bearing, but then continue to bear for an average of 70 - 100 years[].
Yields of 14 tonnes of seed per hectare, containing 2.6 tonnes of oil and 2.8 tones of tallow have been achieved[]. This yield could increase with age[].
Many named varieties have been developed in the Orient, especially in Taiwan, for improved oil production[].
Responds well to coppicing[, ].

Edible Uses

The wax from the seed is used as a lard substitute, as a substitute cacao butter and to increase the consistency of soft edible fats[, , ]. The seed contains 8.1 - 9.2% protein and 40.5 - 50.7% fat[].
The fruits yield two types of fats - the outer covering of the seeds contains a solid fat with a low iodine value - this is edible and is known as Chinese Vegetable Tallow. The kernels produce a drying oil with high iodine value - this is poisonous and is called Stillingia Oil[, , ].

Medicinal

The leaves and the roots are depurative, diuretic and laxative[, , ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of oedema, constipation, poisoning by two plants - Polygonum perfoliatum and Tripterygium wilfordii, skin diseases etc[, ]. The leaves are particularly useful for treating boils and shingles[, ].

The seed is antidote, emetic, hydragogue and purgative[]. In China it is taken internally, which is a rather questionable practice considering its toxic nature[].

The root bark is diuretic[]. It is used in the treatment of snake bites and skin ulcers[]. It is said to be effective in the treatment of schistosomiasis[].

The juice of the tree (the sap is probably meant here[]) is acrid and vesicant[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Vegetable tallow is used for various purposes in agroforestry. A fast-growing plant, it is a good soil binder and contributes to nutrient recycling[, ]. When growing in areas polluted by heavy metals it has been shown to concentrate various of these metals in its tissues. It has a potential for use in phytoremediation projects as a means of locking these metals up and helping to restore the fertility of the soil[]
It is used as a shade tree in tea plantations[, ].
Because it has a high woody-biomass production, the plant is potentially an important source of energy[]. In the United States the plant showed itself to be an interesting woody biomass supplier for energy production on poorly drained and saline soils in the hot southern coastal region, yielding 6 - 10 tonnes per hectare dry biomass (leaves, wood and seed) per year[].

Other Uses

The seed is coated with a wax known as Chinese vegetable tallow[]. This wax, which comprises about 24% of the seed[], can be used to make candles and soap[, , , , , ]. It has excellent burning quality, and gives an inodorous clear bright flame[]. The wax is also used for making soap, cloth dressing and fuel[]. Pure tallow fat is known in commerce as Pi-yu[].
The wax is separated from the seed by steeping it in hot water and skimming off the wax as it floats to the surface[, ]. The wax is solid at temperatures below 40°c[]. It is said to change grey hair to black[].

The seed contains about 20% of a drying oi known as Stillingia oill[, ]. It is used to make candles and soap[, , ]. The oil is used in making varnishes and native paints because of its quick-drying properties, and as a waterproofing for umbrellas[, ]. It is also used in machine oils and as a crude lamp oil[]. The pure oil expressed from the inner part of the seeds is known in commerce as Ting-yu[].

The residual cake, after the oil is expressed, is used as a fuel or a manure, particularly for tobacco fields[, ].

The leaves are rich in tannin[]. A black dye can be obtained by boiling them in alum water[, , , ]. It is used to dye silk black[, ].

The plant is used as a soil binder along the sides of roads and canals[].

The wood is used as an incense[].

The wood is white, even and close grained, light, soft or moderately hard[, ]. It is suitable for carving and is also used for making blocks in Chinese printing, furniture making, toys[].
The wood is light and soft. It is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - do not cold stratify the seed since this can lead to secondary dormancy. Sown in mid spring in a warm greenhouse, it usually germinates within 4 weeks[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Overwinter in a greenhouse for at least their first 2 winters and plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Layering
Suckers