ABSTRACT

This chapter provides information on the uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecology, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors of Chinese Tallow Tree. Chinese Tallow Tree is cultivated for its seeds as a source of vegetable tallow, a drying oil and protein food, and as an ornamental. Wood is white and close-grained, suitable for carving and used for making blocks in Chinese printing; also used for furniture making and incense. Tallow is separated by placing the seed in hot water, thereby melting the tallow which floats on the surface, or by melting tallow with steam and collecting it when it drips off. Solvent extraction of the tallow from the seed is also used; tallow still adhering to the seed is removed by an alkali treatment. Flowers are favored by honey-bees, and fruits are readily eaten by birds, including domestic fowl. It has been considered a desirable plant for bird-food.