I’ve recently revisited two of the Tung Oil Trees I know of at Magnolia Plantation. The trees themselves didn’t look so healthy and not as full of blossoms as previous years. The blooms are pretty spectacular.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 17 and 21, 2024
The sun was working its way up, lighting up this wisteria bloom, though not yet reaching the grounds around the cabins.
These cabins housed enslaved workers when Magnolia was a working rice plantation and are now part of the “From Slavery to Freedom” tour.
This smaller building was likely used for cooking.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2023
From a distance I thought these white blossoms were dogwood.
As much as I like dogwood, I was happily surprised as I got closer to find that it was a Tung Oil tree.
How could you not love these gorgeous blossoms? Although some of the shine came off when I discovered it is non-native and invasive in the gulf coast states where it was grown as a cash crop in the early 1900s.
These blossoms will produce fruits with seeds that are the source of tung oil (tungoil). The oil is used for manufacturing varnishes and paints, and as a waterproofing agent for linoleum and oilcloth. Unfortunately, all parts of the plant are toxic to livestock and humans.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 12, 2023
