Monday
Gary Smyth
Not too difficult today. With fuel getting precious, what this world needs is a tree that produces something that can be used in autos/trucks by tapping it as you might a sugar maple. It turns out that such a tree exists and it can produce a liquid that is able to be burned directly without anything other than tapping and collecting it from the tree. A single tree can produce about 14 gallons per year.
It is a medium-sized tree usually reaching 12 meters in height, with white flowers and small, oily fruits. Bees are major visitors of the tree for pollen.
As you might guess, the wood burns readily.
The timber is highly resistant to natural decay and is used in carpentry.
The resin is used in lacquers, massage preparations, medicines, and paints.
The liquid contained within is thin and clear but on aging becomes thick and acquires a yellowish tinge.
It is also poisonous as it creates an irritant action on mucous membranes and causes an eruption resembling measles
Treated however, when made into medicine, taken in the proper dose it is stimulant, diuretic, and laxative; in larger doses it is purgative, causing nausea, vomiting, and fever.
This species is a folk remedy for dermatitis, eczema, and gonorrhea and mixed with honey is given to the newborns, to impart knowledge and ward off hexes.
Name the tree.
