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Chinese tallow tree Triadica sebifera

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Sapium sebiferum
Phonetic Spelling
try-uh-DEE-kuh seb-EE-fer-uh
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

Chinese popcorn tree is a rapidly growing deciduous tree in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family native to Asia.  Being a member of the spurge famliy, all parts of the plant emit a milky white sap when damaged. This aggressive tree is weedy in disturbed areas and has escaped and naturalized across the coastal areas southeast making it an invasive plant. It was initially introduced to SC in the 1700s and can now be found from eastern North Carolina southward to Florida.  From Florida, it spread in a westerly direction, through Louisiana, Arkansas into Texas.  

This tree is highly adaptable and will grow in a wide range of conditions.  It prefers moist soils and full sun and will grow quickly to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide outcompeting many native plants.  Areas with insufficient rainfall seem to keep it from spreading rapidly.  

The flowers are monoecious, long yellow-green catkins and are followed by fruits that split open to reveal white seeds that resemble popcorn, hence the common name.  Another common name, Chinese tallow tree, comes from the use of the seed to make an oil or vegetable tallow.  The leaves turn an attractive bright red in the fall.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This tree root suckers easily.  It is listed as invasive in FL, AR, CA, OK, TX, NC and GA and alternatives should be considered.  Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column. Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#invasive#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#fall interest#high maintenance#fast growing#messy#aggressive#warm climates#deciduous tree#messy fruits#flood tolerant#weed#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#invasive#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#fall interest#high maintenance#fast growing#messy#aggressive#warm climates#deciduous tree#messy fruits#flood tolerant#weed#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Triadica
    Species:
    sebifera
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China and Japan
    Distribution:
    Introduced to AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees and other insects as well as birds.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Pyramidal
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Abundant, showy 3 parted-capsule 1/2" to 3/4" long and 3/4" wide matures from green to brown almost black. The capsule splits open to show 3 white waxy coated globose seeds. The seeds ripen in late summer to early fall persist and resemble popped corn, hence the common name.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The yellowish flowers have no petals and appear on 8-inch dangling catkin-like spikes. This monoecious plant produces male flowers in clusters at the upper nodes of the inflorescence. Female flowers are individual and form on short branches at the base of each spike.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The upper leaf is medium to dark green, while the underside is a lighter green. Conspicuous yellow veins are visible on both the upper and underside of the leaves. They have a tapering base and long pointed tip, 1-3 inches long 1/2-3 inches wide, and 2 glands at the top of the petioles. Red to yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Bark Description:
    The trunk of this tree can be gnarled and fissured. The bark will thicken as the tree grows. It may peel off in vertical, narrow strips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Insect Pests
    Urban Conditions
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Messy
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea and vomiting.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Leaves