Tung-oil Tree

Vernicia fordii

Found in planted for the oil and for ornament, now extensively naturalized in moist to dry upland forests, bottomland forests, and disturbed areas. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

-15

Harmful

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height: 15–25 feet
Spread: 10–15 feet
Light: Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry to moist

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Vernicia fordii — fruit photograph — no rights reserved · CC0 · Original photograph

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Alabama.

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At a glance

Life cycle: Woody perennial
Leaves: Evergreen
Bloom: March to April
Fruiting season: April to August

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Recorded in 14 Alabama counties.

Habitats

Dry forests and woodlands; floodplain and bottomland forests; roadsides, fields and disturbed ground.

Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there. All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

3CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Vernicia

Cryptothelea nigritaNigrita Bagworm Moth
Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Hardiness: Zones 8a–11b
Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline
Flower color: Pink or white
Fruit begins: April
Fruit ends: August

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “March to April” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Pink or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Fruit begins · “April” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Fruit ends · “August” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Hardiness · “Zones 8a–11b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “15–25 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Leaves · “Evergreen” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Woody perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Dry; Moist (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil pH · “Acidic to alkaline” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “10–15 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Tung oil Tree

Conservation status

Alabama rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
AL status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source