Aleurites moluccana

Common name: Candlenut tree 石栗

　

General Descrption

Leaf

Size	7 to 25 x 6 to 13 cm
Length of leaf stalks	5 to 15 cm
Leaves are alternate, simple In young plants or lower branches, the leaves have three or five-lobed, with heart-shaped base.
Apex is acute, rounded base, margin entire, wavy, veins connects with 3 to 5 to the base where there are also a pair of small glands on the upper surface.

Flower

Size	1 cm across
Flowering period	Spring
Sex:	unisexual
Flowers are small, fragrant, in large clusters 10 to 15 cm wide, at the branch ends.    Flowers are non-regular; male and female flowers were found together in the same cluster, the female flowers seated at the ends of the main inflorescence branches with the smaller, more numerous males arranged round them in bunches. Males are smaller than females.   Calyx is splitting into several lobes, corolla whitish, of five free petals, with numerous stamens free which is absent in female flowers.      Ovary in female flowers is superior, two-celled, each with one ovule, and two deeply forked styles.

Fruit

Size	4cm across
Fruit is round, hard apple-shaped, containing one or two oily seeds, produced in autumn.

Trunk

Additional information

Height	9 m
pH value of soil	7
Remarks	Tall quick- growing regular- shaped evergreen tree with a dense crown, commonly planted locally as shade and roadside tree. From a distance the crown appears whitish or frosted due to the coating of white or pale brown minute scales which cover the young leaves, twigs and inflorescences.   It found in Malaysia and Polynesia, now grown in most tropical countries   It is excellent for ornament and shade on account of its hardiness and adaptability as a street tree. Withstands to wind, but does better in sheltered position with reasonably good soil.