Aleurites moluccanus
Candlenut
Tuitui RR
f.EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbias
Aleurites moluccanus
Candlenut
Tuitui RR
f.EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbias
Cook Islands Status Summary
Show Notes
Intl. NamesCandlenut EN Varnish Tree EN Lichtnussbaum DE
Local NamesTuituiRR,MG,AT,MK,MT,AK
Pacific NamesLama SAM
Sci. NamesAleurites moluccanus (accepted name)
, Aleurites moluccana, Acalypha triloba, Jatropha moluccana
High Tax. Eng.k.Plants, p.Flowering Plants, f.Euphorbias - a tree
High Tax. Latink.PLANTAE, p.ANTHOPHYTA, c.MAGNOLIOPSIDA, sc.ROSIDAE, o.Euphorbiales, f.EUPHORBIACEAE
Natl. PresencePresent
Sth. PresenceRR++++MG++++AT++++MK++MT+++AK+PL-MN-TK?
Nth. PresenceTN-MH-RK-PK-NS-SW-
VouchersNo Content
Local OriginIntroduced; Polynesian; Naturalised
Global RangeNative: Malesia se Asia;
HabitatLand; Lowlands, Horticultural Zone; Uplands
ThreatenedNo Content
InvasivenessInvasive
BiosecurityNo Content
Medical StatusMedicine
Harmful StatusHarmful; poisonous to eat
UsesFood - seeds; Material - for artefacts
IdentificationSpreading tree to 20m. LEAVES: terminal clusters; alternate; larger leaves, angular-ovate 3-5 lobed (maple-leaf shaped), to 35x30cm [LxW]; smaller leaves, ovate-pointed, to 15x10cm (LxW); large leaves green, small leaves whitish-tomentose; long petmore...iole (to 30 cm). FLOWERS: in terminal panicles; small; white; male and female similar but separate. FRUIT: green; sub-globose; to 5cmØ; containing a walnut-shaped nut with a very thick, hard shell.
Similar SpeciesNo Content
Interest NoteNo Content
Show All Notes
Multimedia & Other Resources
Click on a thumbnail to see the full image and image details.
Vernacular Names
no data available
Threatened
no data available
Biosecurity
Citation Information
McCormack, Gerald (2026) Cook Islands Biodiversity & Ethnobiology Database, Version 2026.03.16 - Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. Online at https://naturalheritage.gov.ck/cibed
Please refer to our use policy.
Saved Species
X of 20
- Save Species