Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Euphorbiales>Euphorbiaceae>Triadica sebifera (L.) Small

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

The Chinese Tallowtree is a medium-sized ornamental tree that has escaped from cultivation and is invasive in the southeastern United States.

The leaf shape is quite distinctive, pointed at the base and with a long-pointed tip.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

This small tree along the French Broad River was a suprise - Chinese Tallowtree had not been reported from the Mountain region of NC before.

Madison Co., NC 7/28/2012.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Madison Co., NC 7/28/2012.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Madison Co., NC 7/28/2012.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Madison Co., NC 7/28/2012.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

The bark of a young tree. It is vertically ridged and furrowed on larger trees.

Madison Co., NC 7/28/2012.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) tree

The common name comes from the white oil-rich seeds (not pictured), which have been used for commercial oil production. Another common name, from the seeds, is Popcorn Tree.

Clarendon Co., SC 6/14/07.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) leaves

Flowering is in late spring/early summer.

Clarendon Co., SC 6/14/07.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) flower

Flower detail.

Clarendon Co., SC 6/14/07.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) leaf

Chinese Tallowtree is fairly common in the southeastern corner of North Carolina, the northern limit of its range in the eastern US.

Formerly known as Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxburgh.

Brunswick Co., NC 8/26/06.

Chinese Tallowtree (Triadica sebifera)

Brunswick Co., NC 8/26/06.

More information:
Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Florida Nature
Floridata
Invasive.org
USDA PLANTS database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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