Vegetable Tallow, Chinese tallow, Popcorn Tree, Chinese Tallow Tree

Sapium sebiferum

Physical Characteristics

Sapium sebiferum is a deciduous Tree growing to 9 m (29ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from January to February, and the seeds ripen in November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects, bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil Oil Edible Uses: Oil Oil The wax from the seed is used as a lard substitute or in cacao butter[105, 183]. The seed contains 8.1 - 9.2% protein and 40.5 - 50.7% fat[218].

Medicinal Uses

Acrid Antidote Depurative Diuretic Emetic Hydrogogue Laxative Purgative Skin Vesicant The leaves and the roots are depurative, diuretic and laxative[4, 147, 178]. A decoction is used in the treatment of oedema, constipation, poisoning by two plants - Polygonum perfoliatum and Tripterygium wilfordii, skin diseases etc[147, 218]. The leaves are particularly useful for treating boils[218]. The seed is antidote, emetic, hydragogue and purgative[218]. In China it is taken internally, which is a rather questionable practice considering its toxic nature[218]. The root bark is diuretic[218]. It is used in the treatment of snake bites and skin ulcers[218]. The juice of the tree (the sap is probably meant here[K]) is acrid and vesicant[240].

Known Hazards

The sap is poisonous[200].