About Vernicia montana Lour.
Vernicia montana Lour. is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows up to 20 metres (66 ft) tall. Its Latin specific epithet montana refers to mountains or originating from mountains. It has large, three-lobed leaves. The tree is monoecious, producing white-petaled flowers in inflorescences that hold both male and female flowers. Its ripe fruit is a 5.1–7.6 cm (2–3 inch) globular drupe with wrinkled skin; it ripens from green to yellow, and each fruit contains 3 oil-rich seeds. This species is native to Cambodia, South-Central China, Southern China, Hainan, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is cultivated primarily for its seeds, which are used to produce a varnish similar to that of the tung tree. The oil from its seeds is valued as a wood finish. Because it prefers well-drained sandy soils, it is grown in hillside plantations in northern Vietnam. In the wild, this species can be found growing along the margins of primary forests. Its wood is also harvested for use.
