Family:
Euphorbiaceae Juss.
Genus:
Aleurites J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd.

This species is accepted, and its native range is Tropical & Subtropical Asia to NW. Pacific. It is used as animal food, a poison, a medicine and invertebrate food, has environmental uses and social uses and for fuel and food.

[CPLC]

Bernal, R., Gradstein, S.R. & Celis, M. (eds.). 2015. Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co

Distribution
Cultivada en Colombia; Andes, Islas Caribeñas, Pacífico.
Morphology General Habit
Árbol

[FZ]

Euphorbiaceae, A. Radcliffe-Smith. Flora Zambesiaca 9:4. 1996

Morphology General Habit
A tree up to 10 m tall with a rounded crown.
Morphology General Bark
Bark smooth, grey.
Morphology General Shoots
Young shoots, petioles and inflorescence axes densely scurfily fulvous to ferrugineous stellate-tomentose.
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules minute, subulate.
Morphology Leaves Petiole
Petioles 6–22 cm long.
Morphology Leaves Leaf lamina
Leaf blades 7–24 × 4–20 cm, ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-trullate, entire or up to 5-lobed, apex and lobes subacute to acutely acuminate, entire or shallowly repand-dentate on the margins, cuneate to truncate or shallowly cordate at the base, with 2 discoid, sessile, contiguous, shiny glands adaxially at the base, 3–5(7)-nerved from the base, densely cinereous-, fulvous- or ferrugineous-stellate-tomentose on both surfaces at first, later glabrescent.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences 10–16 × 10–14 cm, broadly conical, branching from the base; bracts 2–3 mm long.
sex Male
Male flowers: pedicels 7–10 mm long, slender; buds 2 mm long, ovoid; calyx lobes 3–3.5 × 2–3 mm, ovate, acute, stellate-tomentose without, glabrous within; petals 6–8 × 2 mm, narrowly oblong-spathulate, obtuse, glabrous, yellowish-white; disk glands 0.5 × 0.5 mm, shallowly 3-lobed, flattened, whitish; staminal column 4 mm high, filaments c. 1 mm long, green, puberulous with simple hairs, anthers 0.5 mm long and wide, yellowish; receptacle puberulous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Female flowers: pedicels 3–4.5 mm long, stout, dilated upwards; buds 4 mm long, conical; petals 1.5 mm wide, otherwise as in male flowers; disk c. 2 mm across, flattened; ovary c. 1.5 × 2 mm, subglobose, densely appressed-stellate-tomentose; styles c. 1 mm long, glabrous except at the base without. Male flowers: pedicels 7–10 mm long, slender; buds 2 mm long, ovoid; calyx lobes 3–3.5 × 2–3 mm, ovate, acute, stellate-tomentose without, glabrous within; petals 6–8 × 2 mm, narrowly oblong-spathulate, obtuse, glabrous, yellowish-white; disk glands 0.5 × 0.5 mm, shallowly 3-lobed, flattened, whitish; staminal column 4 mm high, filaments c. 1 mm long, green, puberulous with simple hairs, anthers 0.5 mm long and wide, yellowish; receptacle puberulous.
sex Female
Female flowers: pedicels 3–4.5 mm long, stout, dilated upwards; buds 4 mm long, conical; petals 1.5 mm wide, otherwise as in male flowers; disk c. 2 mm across, flattened; ovary c. 1.5 × 2 mm, subglobose, densely appressed-stellate-tomentose; styles c. 1 mm long, glabrous except at the base without.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit 4 × 4–5.5 cm, ovoid-subglobose or transversely-ovoid, shallowly 2-lobed and with 4 low longitudinal ridges, evenly to sparingly appressed- or scurfily stellate-pubescent, green.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds 2.5 × 2.75 × 2.25 cm, broadly ovoid, shallowly rugulose, brown mottled cream-coloured or whitish.

[UPFC]
Distribution
Biogeografic region: Andean, Caribbean, Pacific. Cultivated in Colombia. Colombian departments: Chocó, Cundinamarca, San Andrés y Providencia, Valle del Cauca.
Habit
Tree.
Conservation
IUCN Red List Assessment (2021): LC.
Ecology
Habitat according IUCN Habitats Classification: wetlands (inland), artificial - terrestrial.

[FTEA]

Euphorbiaceae, A. R.-Smith. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1987

Morphology General Habit
A tree up to 15 m. tall, with spreading pendulous and ascending branches.
Morphology General Shoots
Young shoots scurfily fulvous to ferruginous stellate-pubescent.
Morphology Leaves
Petiole 4–16(–22) cm. long, evenly scurfily or shortly stellate pubescent or puberulous; leaf-blade ovate to ovate-lanceolate or ovate-trullate, entire or sometimes shallowly 3–5-lobed, (9–)12–25 cm. long, 6–15(–24) cm. wide, apex and lobes subacute to shortly acutely acuminate, cuneate or rounded or (if the leaves lobed) truncate or shallowly or moderately cordate, with 2 circular, sessile, shining contiguous glands adaxially at the base, 3–5(–7)-nerved from the base, densely fulvous to ferruginous stellate-pubescent above and beneath at first, later becoming almost or quite glabrous on both surfaces.
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules cylindric, 1 mm. long, rounded at the apex, stellate-pubescent, readily caducous leaving 2 small circular scars.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences conical, up to 15 cm. long and wide, branching from the base; axes densely fulvous stellate-tomentellous; bracts 2–3 mm. long, acute, densely fulvous stellate-tomentellous.
sex Male
Male flowers:pedicels slender, 5–7 mm. long, stellate-pubescent; buds ovoid, 2 mm. long, obtuse, the calyx rupturing to the base into 2 ± equal lobes, stellate-tomentose without, glabrous within; petals spathulate-oblanceolate, 5 mm. long, 2 mm. wide, obtuse, glabrous except for a few hairs within at the base, yellowish white; disc-lobes somewhat convolute, thick; stamens 17–20, the filaments 1 mm. long, simply puberulous, the anthers 0.5 mm. long; receptacle simply puberulous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Female flowers:pedicels 2–3 mm. long, 1.5–2 mm. thick, stellate-pubescent; buds ellipsoid, 5 mm. long, otherwise as in the ♂ flowers; petals linear-oblanceolate, 1 cm. long, 2 mm. wide, otherwise as in the ♂ flowers; disc-glands small, rounded; ovary subglobose, 1.5 mm. long, 2 mm. diameter, densely stellate-tomentose; styles  1 mm. long, glabrous. Male flowers:pedicels slender, 5–7 mm. long, stellate-pubescent; buds ovoid, 2 mm. long, obtuse, the calyx rupturing to the base into 2 ± equal lobes, stellate-tomentose without, glabrous within; petals spathulate-oblanceolate, 5 mm. long, 2 mm. wide, obtuse, glabrous except for a few hairs within at the base, yellowish white; disc-lobes somewhat convolute, thick; stamens 17–20, the filaments 1 mm. long, simply puberulous, the anthers 0.5 mm. long; receptacle simply puberulous.
sex Female
Female flowers:pedicels 2–3 mm. long, 1.5–2 mm. thick, stellate-pubescent; buds ellipsoid, 5 mm. long, otherwise as in the ♂ flowers; petals linear-oblanceolate, 1 cm. long, 2 mm. wide, otherwise as in the ♂ flowers; disc-glands small, rounded; ovary subglobose, 1.5 mm. long, 2 mm. diameter, densely stellate-tomentose; styles  1 mm. long, glabrous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruits fleshy, ovoid-subglobose or transversely ovoid with 4 low longitudinal ridges, 4–4.5 cm. long, 4–6 cm. diameter, evenly to sparingly stellate-pubescent.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds broadly ovoid, 2.5–3 cm. long and wide, gibberulous, greyish, mottled brownish.
Figures
Fig. 34.
Habitat
Cultivated; 650–1850 m.
Distribution
native of tropical Asia and Oceania from India and China to Polynesia and New Zealand, and widely cultivated in the tropics generallythe ‘Candlenut Tree’ K4 P T3 T6 T7 T8 U2 U3 Z

[UPFC]
Use Animal Food
Used as animal food.
Use Environmental
Environmental uses.
Use Fuel
Used for fuels.
Use Gene Sources
Used as gene sources.
Use Food
Used for food.
Use Invertebrate Food
Used as invertebrate food.
Use Materials
Used as material.
Use Medicines
Medical uses.
Use Poisons
Poisons.
Use Social
Social uses.

Native to:

Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan, India, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Marianas, Marshall Is., Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Queensland, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

Introduced into:

Argentina Northeast, Bahamas, Brazil Northeast, Cayman Is., Christmas I., Comoros, Cook Is., Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Florida, Haiti, Hawaii, Jamaica, Kermadec Is., Leeward Is., Madagascar, Marquesas, Mozambique, New Caledonia, Niue, Paraguay, Pitcairn Is., Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Samoa, Society Is., Swaziland, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Wallis-Futuna Is., Windward Is., Zimbabwe

Aleurites moluccanus (L.) Willd. appears in other Kew resources:

Date Reference Identified As Barcode Type Status Has image?
Aug 10, 1998 Gouvea, M.F. [8.283], Paraná K000716390 No
Faulkner, H. [2557], Tanzania 22001.000 No
Hyland, B. [2696], Australia 33632.000 No
Hyland, B. [2696], Australia 34524.000 No
Brunt, M., Kenya 63716.000 No
March, W.T. [1184], Jamaica K000716388 Yes
Havel, J.J. [9169], Papua New Guinea Aleurites moluccanus var. floccosus K000959479 holotype Yes

First published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 4: 590 (1805)

Accepted by

  • Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Strong, M.T. (2012). Catalogue of seed plants of the West Indies Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 98: 1-1192.
  • Balakrishnan, N.P. & Chakrabarty, T. (2007). The family Euphorbiaceae in India. A synopsis of its profile, taxonomy and bibliography: 1-500. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun.
  • Berendsohn, W.G., Gruber, A.K. & Monterrosa Salomón, J. (2009). Nova silva cusatlantica. Árboles nativos e introduciados de El Salvador. Parte 1: Angiospermae - Familias A a L Englera 29-1: 1-438.
  • Chayamarit, K. & Van Welzen, P.C. (2005). Euphorbiaceae (Genera A-F) Flora of Thailand 8(1): 1-303. The Forest Herbarium, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkok.
  • Florence, J. (1997). Flore de la Polynésie Française 1: 1-393. ORSTOM éditions, Paris.
  • George, A.S., Orchard, A.E. & Hewson, H.J. (eds.) (1993). Oceanic islands 2 Flora of Australia 50: 1-606. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
  • Girmansyah, D. & al. (eds.) (2013). Flora of Bali an annotated checklist: 1-158. Herbarium Bogorensis, Indonesia.
  • Govaerts, R. (1995). World Checklist of Seed Plants 1(1, 2): 1-483, 1-529. MIM, Deurne.
  • Govaerts, R., Frodin, D.G. & Radcliffe-Smith, A. (2000). World Checklist and Bibliography of Euphorbiaceae (and Pandaceae) 1-4: 1-1622. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Keller, H.A., Stampella, P.C., Delucchi, G. & Hurrell, J.A. (2013). Vernicia fordii y Aleurites moluccanus (Euphorbiaceae) en la Argentina. Naturalización y etnobotánica Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica 48: 553-561.
  • MacKee, H.S. (1994). Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie, ed. 2: 1-164. Museum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris.
  • Morat, P. & Veillon, J.-M. (1985). Contributions à la conaissance de la végétation et de la flore de Wallis et Futuna Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Section B, Adansonia 7: 259-329.
  • Mostaph, M.K. & Uddin, S.B. (2013). Dictionary of plant names of Bangladesh, Vasc. Pl.: 1-434. Janokalyan Prokashani, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
  • Smith, A.C. (1981). Flora Vitiensis Nova. A new flora for Fiji (Spermatophytes only) 2: 1-810. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai.
  • Sykes, W.R. (1970). Contributions to the flora of Niue Bulletin, New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 200: 1-321.
  • Webb, C.J., Sykes, W.R & Garnock-Jones, P.J. (1988). Flora of New Zealand 4: 1-1365. R.E.Owen, Government Printer, Wellington.
  • Welsh, S.L. (1998). Flora Societensis: 1-420. E.P.S. Inc. Utah.
  • Wu, Z.Y., Raven, P.H. & Hong, D.Y. (eds.) (2008). Flora of China 11: 1-622. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.

Literature

Catálogo de Plantas y Líquenes de Colombia

  • Bernal, R., Gradstein, S.R. & Celis, M. (eds.). 2015. Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co

Kew Backbone Distributions

  • Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Strong, M.T. (2012). Catalogue of seed plants of the West Indies Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 98: 1-1192.
  • Baksh-Comeau, Y., Maharaj, S.S., Adams, C.D., Harris, S.A., Filer, D.L. & Hawthorne, W.D. (2016). An annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Trinidad and Tobago with analysis of vegetation types and botanical 'hotspots' Phytotaxa 250: 1-431.
  • Barthelat, F. (2019). La flore illustrée de Mayotte: 1-687. Biotope éditions.
  • Darbyshire, I., Kordofani, M., Farag, I., Candiga, R. & Pickering, H. (eds.) (2015). The Plants of Sudan and South Sudan: 1-400. Kew publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Florence, J. (1997). Flore de la Polynésie Française 1: 1-393. ORSTOM éditions, Paris.
  • Fosberg, F.R. (1975). Vascular plants of Aitutaki Atoll Research Bulletin 190: 73-84.
  • Fosberg, F.R., Sachet, M.-H., Oliver, R. (1979). A geographical checklist of the Micronesian Dicotyledonae Micronesica; Journal of the College of Guam 15: 41-295.
  • George, A.S., Orchard, A.E. & Hewson, H.J. (eds.) (1993). Oceanic islands 2 Flora of Australia 50: 1-606. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
  • Girmansyah, D. & al. (eds.) (2013). Flora of Bali an annotated checklist: 1-158. Herbarium Bogorensis, Indonesia.
  • Keller, H.A., Stampella, P.C., Delucchi, G. & Hurrell, J.A. (2013). Vernicia fordii y Aleurites moluccanus (Euphorbiaceae) en la Argentina. Naturalización y etnobotánica Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica 48: 553-561.
  • Morat, P. & Veillon, J.-M. (1985). Contributions à la conaissance de la végétation et de la flore de Wallis et Futuna Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Section B, Adansonia 7: 259-329.
  • Mostaph, M.K. & Uddin, S.B. (2013). Dictionary of plant names of Bangladesh, Vasc. Pl.: 1-434. Janokalyan Prokashani, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
  • Sykes, W.R. (1970). Contributions to the flora of Niue Bulletin, New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 200: 1-321.
  • Welsh, S.L. (1998). Flora Societensis: 1-420. E.P.S. Inc. Utah.
  • Yuncker, T.G. (1959). Plants of Tonga Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 220: 1-283.

Flora of Tropical East Africa

  • A. Engler & O. Drude, Die Vegetation Der Erde, IX, Pflanzenwelt Afrikas 3(2): 60, t. 23 (1921).
  • Airy Shaw in Kew Bulletin 20: 393 (1967).
  • F. White, Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia p. 193 (1962).
  • J.P.M. Brenan, Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire no. 5, part II, Tanganyika Territory p. 199 (1949).
  • Muell. Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15(2): 723 (1866).
  • Pax in A. Engler, Das Pflanzenreich IV. 147(1): 129, t. 45 (1910).
  • Troupin, Fl. Rwanda 2: 204, t. 60/1 (1983).
  • Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 590 (1805).

Useful Plants and Fungi of Colombia

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  • FPI (2021). Food Plants International. https://fms.cmsvr.com/fmi/webd/Food_Plants_World?homeurl=https://foodplantsinternational.com/plants/
  • GBIF.org (2021). GBIF species matching tool. https://www.gbif.org/tools/species-lookup
  • GRIN (2021). Germplasm Resources Information Network from the United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.ars-grin.gov/
  • IUCN (2021). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2021-2. https://www.iucnredlist.org.
  • Medicinal Plant Names Services (MPNS) v.10 (2021); http://mpns.kew.org/
  • PROTA (2021). Plants Resources of Tropical Africa. https://prota4u.org/database/
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  • Willis, K.J. (ed.) (2017). State of the World’s Plants 2017. Report. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

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