| Chinese tallowtree | USDA PLANTS Symbol: TRSE6 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Hardwood Trees |
| Triadica sebifera (L.) Small |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Euphorbiales: Euphorbiaceae |
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| Synonym(s): Chinese tallow, popcorn tree, Florida aspen, chicken tree | |
| Native Range: Temp. Asia-China & Taiwan (GRIN) | |
Chinese tallowtree (popcorn tree) is a deciduous tree reaching 60 ft. (18.3 m) in height and 3 ft. (0.9 m) in diameter. Leaves are alternate, heart-shaped, 2-3 in. (5.1-7.6 cm) long with a long, pointed tip. Flowering occurs from April to June. The flowers are yellowish and occur on 8 in. (20 cm) long, dangling spikes. Three-lobed, greenish fruit are found in clusters at the end of branches. Fruit mature to black and then open to reveal the white wax covered seeds. Tallow tree invades wet areas such as stream banks and ditches but can also invade drier upland sites. Chinese tallowtree is a serious threat because of its ability to invade high quality, undisturbed forests. It can displace native vegetation as well as alter soil conditions due to the high amount of tannins present in the leaf litter. Chinese tallowtree is a native of China and was introduced into South Carolina in 1776 for ornamental purposes and seed oil production. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Twig(s)/Shoot(s); Tift County, GA Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Cheryl McCormick, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Tree(s); fall color Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Tree(s); Dennis Teague, U.S. Air Force, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seedling(s); Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Bark; Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Twig(s)/Shoot(s); September James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Mark Atwater, Weed Control Unlimited, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); fruit and waxy coated seeds James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Joseph LaForest, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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| U.S. National Parks where reported invasive: |
| Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi) |
