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Chinese Tallow (Popcorn Tree)

Sapium sebiferum

Non-Native

Chinese Tallow Locations in US
Chinese Tallow Locations in Southeast US
Chinese Tallow

full Chinese Tallow tree
tallow tree flowers
tallow tree drawing

tallow tree side view
tallow tree fruit
tallow tree leaves

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.

What is Chinese Tallow (Popcorn Tree)?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Oval- or tear-shaped
  • Alternate
  • Simple
  • 1.4-3.3 inches long
  • 1.4-3.5 inches wide
  • Leaf stalk 0.6-3.5 inches long

Flowers:

  • Yellowish spikes
  • Tiny
  • Spikes about 2.4-9.9 inches long
  • Grow in clusters of 5-15

Fruit:

  • 3-lobed
  • 0.38-0.75 inches in diameter
  • Grow in small clusters
  • Split to release seeds in the winter

Seeds:

  • Look like popcorn
  • About 0.23-0.39 inches long
  • 0.17-0.23 inches wide

Trunk:

  • Up to 60 feet tall & 3 feet wide

Where Does it Grow?

Non-Native

It was introduced into South Carolina in 1776 for ornamental purposes and seed oil production. The Chinese tallow tree is often called a “popcorn tree” because of its seeds.

Is it Invasive?

Yes, the Chinese tallow tree is a serious invader that can displace native vegetation as well as alter soil conditions due to the high quantity of acidic tannin in the leaves. Most plant eating animals (mammals, birds, and insects) do not consume the leaves of Chinese tallow trees.

Chinese tallow is non-native to the United States, and tends to disrupt the ecosystem by pushing the native species out of their habitat.

This plant is not native to North America, but has naturalized in much of the United States. While it is not illegal to possess this plant in Texas, it should not be introduced into new water bodies and should be treated with herbicide when present.

How to Manage This Plant
Plant Glossary

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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