Triadica sebifera

Physical characteristics

The simple, deciduous leaves of this tree are alternate, broad rhombic to ovate in shape and have smooth edges, heart shaped and sometimes with an extended tail often resembling the bo, Ficus religiosa . The leaves are bright green in color and slightly paler underneath. They become bright yellows, oranges, purples and reds in the autumn. The tree is monoecious , producing male and female flowers on the same plant.

The green waxy leaves set at the clusters of greenish-yellow and white flowers at bloom time. The flowers occur in terminal spike-like inflorescencesup to 20 cm long. Light green in color, these flowers are very conspicuous in the spring. Each pistillate (female) flower is solitary and has a three-lobed ovary, three styles, and no petals. They are located on short branches at the base of the spike. The staminate (male) flowers occur in clusters at the upper nodes of the inflorescence.

Fruits are three-lobed, three-valved capsules. As the capsules mature, their color changes from green to a brown-black. The capsule walls fall away and releases three globose seeds with a white, tallow-containing covering. Seeds usually hang on the plants for several weeks. In North America , the flowers typically ripen from April to June and the fruit ripens from September to October.

Range and habitat

Although native to China and Japan, the plant is also found in the United States , Puerto Rico , Costa Rica , Taiwan , India , Martinique , Sudan , and southern France . ^[6] Incorrectly Thought to-have-been Introduced in colonial times by Benjamin Franklin, the tree HAS Become naturalized from North Carolina southward along the Atlanticand the Entire Gulf coast , Where It grows profusely along ditchbanks and dikes. It grows especially in open fields and abandoned farmland coastal prairie regions with disturbed ground-such as abandoned farmland, spoil banks, roadsides, and storm-damaged forests-and along the edges of the Western Gulf coastal grasslands biome, sometimes forming pure stands . ^[7] In the Houston area , Chinese tallow trees account for a full 23 percent of all trees, the most common species in the area. ^[8]The Texas Department of Agriculture lists Chinese Tallow as one of the 24 most invasive plants, and includes Chinese Tallow in a list of Noxious and Invasive Plants which are illegal to sell, or distribute in Texas. ^[9] [10] Herbivores and insects have a conditioned behavioral avoidance of the leaves of Chinese tallow tree, and this, rather than plant toxins, may be a reason for the success of the plant as an invasive. ^[11]

The plant is sold in nurseries as an ornamental tree. It is not choosy about soil or drainage , but will not grow in deep shade. It is common to all Japan, and is reasonably hardy. It is prized for its abundant and often spectacular autumn foliage.

The tree is common in southeast Oklahoma as well, although it is not depicted on the map.

Uses

The seed’s white waxy aril is used in soap making. The seed’s inner oil is toxic and has industrial applications.

The nectar is non-toxic, and it has become a major honey plant for beekeepers . The honey is of high quality, and is produced copiously during the month of June, on the Gulf Coast. In the Gulf Coast States, beekeepers migrate with their honey bee to good tallow rentals near the sea.

The tree is highly ornamental, fast growing and a good shade tree. It is particularly noteworthy if grown in areas that have become so popular with the leaves becoming a multitude of colors rivaling maples in the autumn.

The tree grows well in urban areas, and is very good for “sidewalk holes” along busy roads with a lot of traffic where most trees will grow. It can provide shade to the heat of the main island of main-concrete areas, as well as habitat for urban animals such as lizards and birds.

Invasive species

As mentioned above, the tallow tree is a non-native species to many places around the world. Its introduced status in North America along with the harm it causes to ecosystems makes the tree considered an invasive speciesthere. Tallow trees present a danger of expansion that can hurt local ecosystems by out-competing native vegetation and creating a monoculture . The monoculture would then lower the species diversity and overall resilience of the area. ^[12] The tree’s tenacious nature, high growth rate, and high reproductive status contribute to its invasive success. According to the US Department of Agriculture , tallow trees begin producing viable seeds in three years. ^[12]They are spread by root sprouts and cuttings and are quick to invade after a disturbance occurs in an area, due to the clearing out of land. ^[6] A single tallow tree can produce nearly 100,000 viable seeds annually that can remain in the soil for several years before sprouting. A mature stand can produce 4.500 kilograms of seeds per hectare per year. ^[12] These stages are conducted by water and water. Tallow trees can remain productive for 100 years. ^[12] It is also extremely hard to kill-it’s poisonous in its leaves and berries leave it with little to no predators, and its short time generation can freshly cut trees can quickly regrow. ^[6]Currently, herbicides and prescribed fireare the only effective treatments available to Chinese tallow. ^[6] The USDA is evaluating the flea beetle ( Bikasha collaris ) as a natural control agent. ^[13]

References