Vernicia cordata
(Thunb.) Airy Shaw
Euphorbiaceae
This species (which is native to southern Japan) has often been confused with Aleurites montana (native to southern China and Indo-China). It is distinguished from Aleurites montana by the glands at the apex of the petiole and the leaves with white or brown hairs at branching parts of the veins of the lower surface[
275- Title
- Flora of Japan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.foj.info
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.
].
Aleurites cordatus (Thunb.) R.Br. ex Steud.
Aleurites japonicus Blume
Aleurites vernicifluus Baill.
Camerium cordatum (Thunb.) Kuntze
Dryandra cordata Thunb.
Dryandra verrucosa Royle
Elaeococca cordata (Thunb.) A.Juss.
Elaeococca vernicia A.Juss. ex Spreng.
Elaeococca verrucosa A.Juss. ex Spreng.
Common Name: Japan Wood-Oil Tree
The flowers, having fallen from the tree, floating downstream
Photograph by: Nobuya Fukuda
General Information
Vernicia cordata is a semi-evergreen tree that can grow 20 metres or more tall. The bole can be 60cm in diameter, and free of branches for up to 15 metres[
275- Title
- Flora of Japan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.foj.info
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.
].
The tree yields a valuable oil that is often traded. It is cultivated for this oil in Japan and some other areas of Asia and perhaps also in Africa[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Known Hazards
The oil from the seed is poisonous[
65- Title
- A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J.
- Publisher
- Wolfe
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0723408394
- Description
- Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.
].
Botanical References
275- Title
- Flora of Japan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.foj.info
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.
Range
E. Asia - southern Japan, but widely cultivated in eastern Asia and parts of Africa.
Habitat
Montane forests[
275- Title
- Flora of Japan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.foj.info
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 10.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Vernicia cordata comes from southern Japan, where it experiences mild winters with fairly light frosts. It can be grown outdoors in temperate areas with hot summers and mild winters, it is also grown in subtropical areas and at higher elevations in the tropics.
Easily grown in a loamy soil. Requires a lime-free soil[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
A drying oil obtained from the seed is used for waterproofing fabrics, treating woodwork, lighting, soap making, paints, varnish etc[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. The seed-oil is used principally as an illuminant, for the lubrication of machinery, and for water-proofing fabrics[
332- Title
- The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Burkil. H. M.
- Publisher
- Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
- Year
- 1985 - 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
]. It is a drying oil with an iodine value of 148 - 160[
332- Title
- The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Burkil. H. M.
- Publisher
- Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
- Year
- 1985 - 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
].
Propagation
Seed - sow early to mid spring in a warm greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in early summer and give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of mature wood in a frame[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
