Chinese tallowtree: Triadica sebifera (Euphorbiales: Euphorbiaceae)

Chinese tallowtree
Euphorbiales > Euphorbiaceae > Triadica sebifera (L.) Small
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.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

Invasive Plant Manual - Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council

Invasive Plant Responses to Silvicultural Practices in the South - University of Georgia

Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies - Volume 2 - USDA Forest Service

Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Prescriptions for Specific Nonnative Invasive Plants - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Weeds of the Week - USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Forest Health Protection

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Twig(s)/Shoot(s); Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; Cheryl McCormick, University of Florida, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Bark; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Twig(s)/Shoot(s); September James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Flower(s); Developing flowers. Tift County, GA Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Flower(s); Mark Atwater, Weed Control Unlimited, Inc., Bugwood.org 768x512
Fruit(s); Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Fruit(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Fruit(s); fruit and waxy coated seeds James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Seedling(s); Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Seedling(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512	Infestation; Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Plant(s); Sprouts at the edge of a field David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512
Stand; Cheryl McCormick, University of Florida, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); Fall color John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; fall foliage James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Feature(s); fall color Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Plant(s); Dennis Teague, U.S. Air Force, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Tree(s); Dennis Teague, U.S. Air Force, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024

Invasive Reference(s):

Check Invasive.org for most current lists.

Alabama - IPC List
California - Invasive Plant Inventory
Florida - EPPC list
Georgia - EPPC list
Louisiana - Noxious Weed Law
Mississippi - Noxious Weed Law
Mississippi - 10 Worst Invasive Weeds
South Carolina - EPPC List
Texas - Noxious Weed Law
Mid-Atlantic - EPPC List
Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species
Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South

External Links


				Bargeron, C.T., C.R. Minteer, C.W. Evans, D.J. Moorhead, G.K. Douce and R.C. Reardon. Technical Coordinators. 2008. Invasive Plants of the United States DVD-ROM: Identification, Biology and Control. USDA Forest Service. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Morgantown, WV. FHTET-08-11.