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Vernicia montana
Species of tree From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Vernicia montana is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae.[2][3] It is sometimes referred to by the common name mu oil tree,[4] or chine wood oil tree.[5]
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Description
It is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching a height 20 metres (66 ft).[6] The Latin specific epithet montana refers to mountains or coming from mountains.[7] The leaves are large with three lobes. The monoecious white-petaled flowers emerged as inflorescences, containing both male and female flowers. The 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) fruit is a globular drupe with wrinkled skin that turns from green to yellow upon ripening. Each fruit contains 3 seeds, rich in oil.
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Distribution
It is native to Cambodia, South-Central and Southern China, Hainan, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
Cultivation and uses
Vernicia montana is grown mostly for the seeds from which a varnish is made similar to the tung tree. The oil is prized as a wood finish.[5] As the tree prefers well drained, sandy soils, the trees are grown on hillside plantations in northern Vietnam. In nature, V montana can be found at the margins of primary forests.
The wood is also harvested.
Gallery
Glands and veins
Female flower
Male flower
In full bloom
Inflorescence
References
External links
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