Aleurites moluccanus

Native to tropical and subtropical Asia, northern Australia, and the western Pacific, this spreading tree usually grows about 33 to 65 feet tall. Fragrant, whitish flower clusters contain separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The oil-rich seeds were traditionally burned for lighting and are used in Indonesian and Malaysian cooking after preparation. Raw seeds are poisonous and can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea; the sap can irritate skin. It is Hawaii’s state tree and has naturalized there, as well as in southeastern Queensland and coastal New South Wales, Australia. Photographed in Peru.