| Chinese tallowtree |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: TRSE6 USDA ARS GRIN: 410718 ITIS: 522777 |
| 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 | |
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
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
- Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
- Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Twig(s)/Shoot(s); Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Cheryl McCormick, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Bark; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, 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); Developing flowers. Tift County, GA Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Mark Atwater, Weed Control Unlimited, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 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 |
 Seedling(s); Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seedling(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Sprouts at the edge of a field David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Stand; Cheryl McCormick, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Tree(s); Fall color John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; fall foliage James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); fall color Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Dennis Teague, U.S. Air Force, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Tree(s); Dennis Teague, U.S. Air Force, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Faith Campbell, 1998. Plants that Hog the Garden: Invasive Plants in the United States. Fine Gardening Online
- Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel, Aquatic Nuisance Species Annual Report, 2001
- Jackie Poole, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (personal communication)
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2005
- National Wildlife Refuge Association, Silent Invasion: A Call to Action from the National Wildlife Refuge Association, 2002. Washington DC. 17 pp.
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Reichard, Sarah. 1994. Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 1999.
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- California Invasive Plant Council
- Alachua County Cogongrass Initiative
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category I
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area - EARLY DRAFT
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Category 1
- Louisiana Noxious Weeds
- Mississippi Noxious Weeds
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council Severe Threat
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council Watch List B
- Texas Noxious Weeds
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