tungoil tree	USDA PLANTS Symbol: VEFO USDA ARS GRIN: 320180 ITIS: 505662
Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.) Airy-Shaw
Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Euphorbiales: Euphorbiaceae
Synonym(s): Chinese wood-oil tree
Tungoil tree is a deciduous tree that is up to 66 ft. (20 m) tall and has milky white sap. The leaves are simple, 6-10 in. (15.2-25.4 cm) long, alternate, and either heart-shaped or with three pointed lobes. The petioles are long and there is a distinctive red gland at the base of each leaf. The showy flowers have 5 white petals with red veins and bloom before the leaves emerge. The toxic fruits are reddish green, round and 2-3 in. (5.1-7.96 cm) in diameter. Tungoil tree grows best in full sun, but it can also grow in the understory. The tree is not particularly cold tolerant. Tungoil tree invades forest edges, rights of ways and urban green spaces.

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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

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Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Tree(s); October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seedling(s); Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage; November James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Leaves and fruit in October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); April James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s); glands at base of petiole James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); petiole glands Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s); leaf scar James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Bark; August James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Bark; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Twig(s)/Shoot(s); February James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Tree(s); Cattle using trees as shade John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

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Distribution Map

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