Vernicia fordii
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff076843c1157928514 |
| Scientific name | Vernicia fordii |
| Authority | (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw |
| First published in | Kew Bull. 20: 394 (1966) |
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Vernicia fordii yields a high‑yield (≈40–50 % of seed weight) drying oil known as tung oil. The oil is processed as raw oil for industrial applications and as refined oil for specialty coatings. After oil extraction the seed cake (meal) is a nitrogen‑rich residue, and the wood provides timber and fiber.
Industrial and craft applications:
Tung oil’s high unsaturation (iodine value ≈160–170 mg I₂ 100 g⁻¹) and predominance of α‑elaeostearic acid (≈80 % of total fatty acids) cause rapid polymerization on exposure to air, making the oil a classic fast‑drying medium for paints, varnishes, lacquers, wood finishes and protective coatings. It is also used in printing inks, linoleum and other resilient flooring, waterproofing of fabrics, and as a binder in composite materials. The oil’s acid value (≈2–4 mg KOH g⁻¹) and saponification value (≈190–200 mg KOH g⁻¹) support its conversion to soaps and biodiesel. In addition, tung oil‑based polymers serve as renewable adhesive components in plywood and particleboard.
Wood and fiber:
The heartwood of V. fordii is light brown, fine‑grained and of moderate density (≈0.60–0.70 g cm⁻³). It is valued for interior joinery, furniture, cabinetry and plywood production. The timber’s low shrinkage and good working properties make it suitable for decorative panels and high‑quality flooring. The wood’s cellulose content (≈45 % of dry weight) and lignin ratio support its use in kraft pulp and paper manufacturing, where it contributes to a high‑strength fiber.
Properties relevant to use:
• Fatty‑acid composition: α‑elaeostearic acid confers rapid curing and glossy films.
• High iodine value: indicates extensive unsaturation, enabling oxidative cross‑linking.
• Saponification value: facilitates soap production and biodiesel transesterification.
• Wood density and grain: moderate density and fine grain allow stable dimension and smooth finishing.
• Lignin/cellulose ratio: favorable for pulp quality and paper strength.
Standards and regulation:
Tung oil is covered by ISO 6579 (Raw Tung Oil – Specifications) which defines moisture, acidity, peroxide value, and unsaponifiable matter limits. ASTM D4288 provides test methods for these parameters. National standards (e.g., China GB 29216) specify quality grades for industrial tung oil, and timber grading follows regional species‑specific standards (e.g., Chinese GB/T 1931 for hardwood density).
Sustainability and sourcing:
V. fordii is cultivated in China, Vietnam, Thailand and parts of the United States on marginal or semi‑arid lands. Tree maturity for oil harvest occurs 4–6 years after planting, with oil yields of 2–5 t ha⁻¹. Fast growth and ability to regenerate from coppice support sustainable plantation management, reducing pressure on wild populations. Certification schemes (e.g., Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil analogs) are being explored for tung oil to ensure responsible land use and biodiversity protection.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Aleurites fordii | Hemsl. | Hooker's Icon. Pl. 29(1): tt. 2801-2802. 1906 [Dec 1906] |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | tung oil tree |
| English | tungoil tree |
| English | tung tree |
| Spanish | tung |
| Spanish | aceite de tung |
| Spanish | arbol de tung |
| Spanish | Árbol de tung |
| ab | Атунгҵла |
| Arabic | ورنيشة فوردية |
| Azerbaijani | Çin tunq ağacı |
| Azerbaijani | fordi tunqağacı |
| Azerbaijani | fordi yağlıağacı |
| azb | فوردی یاغلی آغاجی |
| Catalan | tung |
| German | tungölbaum |
| German | holzölbaum |
| Basque | tung |
| Persian | تونگ |
| Persian | درخت جلا |
| Korean | 유동나무 |
| Malayalam | ടങ് മരം |
| Burmese | တန်းဆီပင် |
| nan | iû-tâng-chhiū |
| nan | iû-tâng |
| Polish | kroplan forda |
| Polish | tung forda |
| Polish | tungowiec forda |
| Polish | dwuguz forda |
| pwn | abulakili |
| Russian | Тунг китайский |
| Russian | Тунг Форда |
| Russian | Китайское тунговое дерево |
| Russian | Верниция Форда |
| Swedish | tungträd |
| Vietnamese | du đồng |
| Vietnamese | trẩu lùn |
| Vietnamese | trẩu trung quốc |
| Vietnamese | trẩu trơn |
| Chinese | 一种维管植物 |
| Chinese | 桐油 |
| Chinese | 油桐花 |
| Chinese | 桐花 |
| Chinese | 荏桐 |
| Chinese | 罂子桐 |
| Chinese | 桐油树 |
| Chinese | 桐子树 |
| Chinese | 油桐根 |
| Chinese | 油桐子 |
| Chinese | 油桐叶 |
| Chinese | 气桐子 |
| Chinese | 桐子花 |
| Chinese | 油桐 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
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South Tropical Africa
- Mozambique
- Zimbabwe
-
South Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
-
Eastern Asia
- Korea
- Taiwan
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- East Himalaya
-
Indo-China
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Australasia click to expand
-
Australia
- New South Wales
-
Australia
-
Northern America click to expand
-
South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
-
Southwestern U.S.A.
- California
-
South-central U.S.A.
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Caribbean
- Leeward Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Trinidad-Tobago
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Paraguay
-
Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000332485 |
| UNII | 5539IW30EH |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 97 |
| Flora of Alabama | 1859 |
| USDA Plants | VEFO |
| Tropicos | 12803531 |
| INPN | 706913 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:358198-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-212845 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 934623 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 73154 |
| Nature Serve | 2.149724 |
| IUCN Red List | 147632137 |
| IPNI | 358198-1 |
| iNaturalist | 170171 |
| GBIF | 3074906 |
| Freebase | /m/01w2l3 |
| EPPO | ALEFO |
| EOL | 1149441 |
| USDA GRIN | 320180 |
| Wikipedia | Vernicia_fordii |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters | |||||
| Methyl Gallate | 7428 | Click to see | 184.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)80383-9 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Tigliane and ingenane diterpenoids / Phorbol esters | |||||
| [(1S,2S,6R,10S,11R,12R,13S,14R,15R)-13-acetyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-8,12-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4,12,15-trimethyl-5-oxo-14-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,8-dienyl] hexadecanoate | 57345613 | Click to see | 660.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2012.01.057 |
| [(1S,2S,6R,10S,11R,12S,13S,14R,15R)-1,6,14-trihydroxy-8,12-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4,12,15-trimethyl-5-oxo-13-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,8-dienyl] acetate | 163069342 | Click to see CC1C(C2(C(C2(C)CO)C3C1(C4C=C(C(=O)C4(CC(=C3)CO)O)C)O)OC(=O)C)O | 422.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85119-3 |
| [(1S,2S,6R,10S,11R,13S,14R,15R)-13-acetyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-8-(hydroxymethyl)-4,12,12,15-tetramethyl-5-oxo-14-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,8-dienyl] hexadecanoate | 119080 | Click to see | 644.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2012.01.057 |
| [(1S,2S,6R,10S,11R,13S,14R,15R)-13-acetyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-8-(hydroxymethyl)-4,12,12,15-tetramethyl-5,9-dioxo-14-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,7-dienyl] hexadecanoate | 70685304 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1C(C2(C3C=C(C(=O)C3(C=C(C(=O)C2C4C1(C4(C)C)OC(=O)C)CO)O)C)O)C | 658.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2012.01.057 |
| [13-Acetyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-8-(hydroxymethyl)-4,12,12,15-tetramethyl-5-oxo-14-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,8-dienyl] hexadecanoate | 78169753 | Click to see | 644.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2012.01.057 |
| [13-Acetyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-8-(hydroxymethyl)-4,12,12,15-tetramethyl-5,9-dioxo-14-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,7-dienyl] hexadecanoate | 77911449 | Click to see | 658.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2012.01.057 |
| [13-Acetyloxy-1,6-dihydroxy-8,12-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4,12,15-trimethyl-5-oxo-14-tetracyclo[8.5.0.02,6.011,13]pentadeca-3,8-dienyl] hexadecanoate | 4411031 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1C(C2(C(C=C(CC3(C2C=C(C3=O)C)O)CO)C4C1(C4(C)CO)OC(=O)C)O)C | 660.90 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BMCL.2012.01.057 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85119-3 |
| 4a,7b,9-Trihydroxy-1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,6,8-trimethyl-5-oxo-1,1a,1b,4,4a,5,7a,7b,8,9-decahydro-9ah-cyclopropa[3,4]benzo[1,2-e]azulen-9a-yl acetate | 187855 | Click to see CC1C(C2(C(C2(C)CO)C3C1(C4C=C(C(=O)C4(CC(=C3)CO)O)C)O)OC(=O)C)O | 422.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85119-3 |
| Hexadecanoic acid, (1S,1aR,1bS,4aR,7aS,7bS,8R,9R,9aS)-9a-(acetyloxy)-1a,1b,4,4a,5,7a,7b,8,9,9a-decahydro-4a,7b-dihydroxy-1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,6,8-trimethyl-5-oxo-1H-cyclopropa(3,4)benz(1,2-e)azulen-9-yl ester | 334044 | Click to see | 660.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85119-3 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,3R,6S,7S,8R,11R,12S,15R,16R)-7,12,16-trimethyl-15-[(2R)-6-methyl-5-methylideneheptan-2-yl]pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-ol | 163187331 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98005-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives | |||||
| Campesterol | 173183 | Click to see CC(C)C(C)CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C | 400.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.22.971 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.22.971 |
| (3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(E,2S,5S)-5-Ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 12314479 | Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.22.971 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tetracarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| 3,4,5-Triacetoxybenzoic acid methyl ester | 10924932 | Click to see | 310.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)80383-9 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxanes / Phenylbenzodioxanes / Phenylbenzo-1,4-dioxanes | |||||
| (2S,3R)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxy-2,3-dihydropyrano[2,3-h][1,4]benzodioxin-8-one | 154496132 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C(OC3=C4C=CC(=O)OC4=CC(=C3O2)OC)CO | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98005-1 |
| Aleuritin | 163097522 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98005-1 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| 5,6,7-Trimethoxycoumarin | 148724 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C=CC(=O)OC2=C1)OC)OC | 236.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98005-1 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(00)00314-2 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| (1,13,14,15,18,19,20,34,35,39,39-Undecahydroxy-2,5,10,23,31-pentaoxo-6,9,24,27,30,40-hexaoxaoctacyclo[34.3.1.04,38.07,26.08,29.011,16.017,22.032,37]tetraconta-3,11,13,15,17,19,21,32,34,36-decaen-28-yl) 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 115063 | Click to see | 952.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| (1R,4R,5S,23R,25R,26R,32R)-10,11,12,15,16,17,32,35,36,40,40-undecahydroxy-25-(2-oxopropoxy)-3,6,21,24,27,33-hexaoxaoctacyclo[30.7.1.01,29.04,23.05,26.08,13.014,19.034,39]tetraconta-8,10,12,14,16,18,29,34(39),35,37-decaene-2,7,20,28,31-pentone | 102268768 | Click to see | 856.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| (57R,58S,510R,511R,519S)-14,15,16,24,25,26,52,53,516,517,517-Undecahydroxy-55,513,515,3,8-pentaoxo-55,57,58,510,511,513,515,516,517,517a-decahydro-4,7-dioxa-5(19,10)-1,16-epoxy-7,11-methanodibenzo[i,k][1,4,7]trioxacyclotridecina-1,2(1,2)-dibenzenacyclooctaphane-58-yl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 138991573 | Click to see | 952.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| 2-[(1,13,14,15,18,19,20,34,35,39,39-Undecahydroxy-2,5,10,23,31-pentaoxo-6,9,24,27,30,40-hexaoxaoctacyclo[34.3.1.04,38.07,26.08,29.011,16.017,22.032,37]tetraconta-3,11,13,15,17,19,21,32,34,36-decaen-28-yl)oxymethyl]prop-2-enenitrile | 14586220 | Click to see C=C(COC1C2C3C(C(O1)COC(=O)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4C5=C(C(=C(C=C5C(=O)O3)O)O)O)O)O)O)OC(=O)C6=CC(=O)C7(C(C6C8=C(O7)C(=C(C=C8C(=O)O2)O)O)(O)O)O)C#N | 865.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| 2-[(5R,7R)-13,14,15,18,19,20,31,35,36-nonahydroxy-2,10,23,28,32-pentaoxo-5-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl)oxy-3,6,9,24,27,33-hexaoxaheptacyclo[28.7.1.04,25.07,26.011,16.017,22.034,38]octatriaconta-1(37),11,13,15,17,19,21,34(38),35-nonaen-29-yl]acetic acid | 134694193 | Click to see | 954.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| 2-[[(10S,11R,12R,13R,15R)-3,4,5,11,12,21,22,23-octahydroxy-8,18-dioxo-9,14,17-trioxatetracyclo[17.4.0.02,7.010,15]tricosa-1(23),2,4,6,19,21-hexaen-13-yl]oxymethyl]prop-2-enenitrile | 102268767 | Click to see | 547.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| 2-[[(1R,4R,5S,23R,25R,26R,32R)-10,11,12,15,16,17,32,35,36,40,40-undecahydroxy-2,7,20,28,31-pentaoxo-3,6,21,24,27,33-hexaoxaoctacyclo[30.7.1.01,29.04,23.05,26.08,13.014,19.034,39]tetraconta-8,10,12,14,16,18,29,34(39),35,37-decaen-25-yl]oxymethyl]prop-2-enenitrile | 102268766 | Click to see | 865.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| 2-[[(1R,7R,8S,26R,28R,29R,38R)-1,13,14,15,18,19,20,34,35,39,39-undecahydroxy-2,5,10,23,31-pentaoxo-6,9,24,27,30,40-hexaoxaoctacyclo[34.3.1.04,38.07,26.08,29.011,16.017,22.032,37]tetraconta-3,11,13,15,17,19,21,32,34,36-decaen-28-yl]oxymethyl]prop-2-enenitrile | 162897153 | Click to see | 865.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| Chebulagic Acid | 442674 | Click to see | 954.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| CID 250397 | 250397 | Click to see C1C2C3C(C(C(O2)OC(=O)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)O)O)O)OC(=O)C5=CC(=C(C6=C5C(C(C(=O)O3)CC(=O)O)C(C(=O)O6)O)O)O)OC(=O)C7=CC(=C(C(=C7C8=C(C(=C(C=C8C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O)O)O | 954.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| CID 338147 | 338147 | Click to see | 952.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| Corilagin | 73568 | Click to see | 634.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| Corilagin (Standard) | 5089683 | Click to see | 634.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
| Geraniin | 3001497 | Click to see | 952.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.38.861 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |