Popcorn Tree Triadica sebifera
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Popcorn Tree:
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
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Chinese tallow is a drought-tolerant shade tree in the Euphorbiaceae family. Native to China and Japan, it was introduced in South Carolina in the 1700's. It was first introduced as an ornamental tree as well as for making soap from the seed oils. It wasn't until the early 1900's that its use as an ornamental tree spread. It can be found from eastern North Carolina southward to Florida. From Florida, it spread in a westerly direction, through Louisiana, Arkansas into Texas.
It can reach heights and widths of 40 feet, with a 3-foot diameter, excellent for creating shade. Its deep taproot allows the tree to hydrate in drought conditions. It will reach taller heights when located in an area, such as a lawn, that received more moisture. In dryer locations it tends to become more broad and does not grow to its potential height.
Its branches grow low to the ground. They are long and appear in a drooping fashion. Twigs are waxy and quite slender.
This tree invades wet areas such as ditches and stream banks as well as some upland dry areas. In undisturbed forests, it can prohibit native vegetation, and alter soil conditions due to the tannins (organic substance) in leaf litter. The ability to grow in crowded locations, as well as any lighting conditions, allows the establishment of additional trees. In Florida, it is present in over half of the counties, and has been placed on the State of Florida Noxious Weed List as well as on FLEPPC's (Florida's Exotic Pest Plant Council) List of Invasive species. The seeds are spread by birds, only complicating the spread. In order to eradicate this plant, total removal of the plant and seeds is required.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pest issues. The leaves and fruit are toxic to humans and cattle. This tree is invasive in North Carolina as well as other locations.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Triadica
- Species:
- sebifera
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China and Japan
- Distribution:
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Clusters of greenish three-lobed fruit turn black when ripe. The Capsule contains 3 white, wax-coated seeds.
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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 spikes. This monoecious plant produces male flowers in clusters at the upper nodes of the inflorescence. Female flowers are solitary and form on short branches at the base of each spike.
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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:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves have a long pointed tip. 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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Messy
- Weedy
