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Triadica sebifera

Common Name: Chinese tallow

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Common Synonyms: Sapium sebiferum

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8a-11

Growth Habit: Tree

Origin: Southeastern Asia

FISC Category: 1

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: Yes

Introduction Date: 1900s

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: PROHIBITED
  • Central: PROHIBITED
  • South: PROHIBITED
Some leaves turning red before dehiscence, and mature fruits present.
FNAI
Chinese tallow tree displaying vibrant red leaves
Brenda Herring

Description

Deciduous tree 6-18 m tall. Sap milky. Leaves alternate, entire, rhombic to ovate, acuminate, 3-6 cm wide, petioles long and slender with 2 glands at the apex. Flowers small, yellow, apetalous, in spikes 10-20 cm long. Fruit a three-lobed capsule 1.3 cm wide, seeds 3, covered with a white waxy coating, ripening from August to November.

Habitat

Swamps, floodplain forests, and mesic to scrubby flatwoods

Comments

Chinese tallow trees develop a strong, deep taproot. This enables young trees to withstand periods of drought. Seeds are spread by many species of birds, and moving water can also serve as a mechanism for seed dispersal.

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: Cut down as close to the ground as possible. Burning effective for both small and larger trees.
  • Chemical: On smaller trees, foliar applications in fall before seed shed is optimum timing coinciding with downward translocation of carbohydrates. Otherwise, cut-stump or basal bark treatments are commonly utilized and can be performed most times of the year. Basal bark applications - for stems < 6 inches basal diameter, use a solution of 5% triclopyr with oil, for stems > 6 inches basal diameter, use a 15-20% triclopyr and oil solution. To control resprouting of freshly cut stumps, use a 20% solution of triclopyr. The root collar area, sides of the stump, and the outer portion of the cut surface should be sprayed until thoroughly wet, but not to the point of runoff. Apply herbicide within 1/2 hour of cutting. Do not attempt a cut stump or basal bark treatment during seed production (August to early September). This can increase the chance of spreading viable seed (IFAS).
  • Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

Dave's Garden. 2014. PlantFiles: Chinese tallow tree, Triadica sebifera. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/32151/. Accessed on June 19, 2014.

Langeland, K.A., H.M. Cherry, C.M. McCormick, K.C. Burks. 2008. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas-Second Edition. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Langeland, K.A., J.A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G.E. MacDonald, and R.K. Stocker. 2011. Integrated management of non-native plants in natural areas of Florida. EDIS publication SP 242. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

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