Chinese tallowtree: Triadica sebifera (Euphorbiales: Euphorbiaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

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
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.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida

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

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

State(s) Where Reported invasive.
Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database.

Native Alternatives:
Acer grandidentatum (bigtooth maple) Acer negundo (boxelder) Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) Cercis canadensis var. mexicana (Mexican redbud) Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud) Ulmus crassifolia (cedar elm)	More Information on Native Plants at: www.beplantwise.org PlantWise is a partnership between the National Park Service, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Garden Club of America and The National Invasive Species Council to prevent harmful invasive plants from invading natural areas.