A deciduous shrub or small tree, glabrous in all its parts. Leaves broad-ovate, 3 to 6 in. long, 2 to 4 in. wide, entire, dark green above, glaucous beneath, with a pair of glands at the base. Petioles about 1 in. long. Flowers borne in June in erect catkin-like racemes at the ends of leafy shoots, the numerous male flowers very shortly stalked, the few female flowers at the base on pedicels about 1⁄2 in. long. Fruit a three-lobed roundish capsule flattened at both ends, about 7⁄8 in. wide, containing three seeds.
Native of Japan, including the Ryukyus, and of China and Korea. Although not showy in flower it is of interest as one of the few woody members of the Spurge family hardy in this country. The leaves turn bright crimson in the autumn. It is in cultivation at the Hillier Arboretum, Romsey, Hants, and at Wakehurst Place, Sussex.
S. sebiferum (L.) Roxb. Croton sebiferus L. Chinese Tallow Tree. – A deciduous tree to 60 ft high in China, with long-stalked acuminate leaves resembling in shape those of a black poplar and becoming crimson in autumn. Inflorescence similar to that of S. japonicum, but the male flowers arranged in cymose clusters along the axis of the inflorescence. Native of China, but long cultivated in the warmer parts of the world. The seeds have a waxy layer under the epidermis, used for making candles and soap, and an oil extracted from the seeds themselves is used for the same purpose. It was in cultivation in Britain early in the 18th century and is sometimes grown in greenhouses for its handsome foliage and economic interest. It is not reliably hardy in this country, but is naturalised in the south-eastern USA, where, like Rosa laevigata, it was already established early in the 19th century.