Sapium sebiferum (=Triadica sebifera) (Chinese Tallowtree)

Sapium sebiferum (=Triadica sebifera)

Photo courtesy Brianna Richardson

Sapium sebiferum (=Triadica sebifera) (Chinese tallowtree) is a deciduous tree (family Euphorbiaceae) that invades wildland areas and rapidly replaces the natural communities.. Originally planted as a shade tree in urban areas, it can threaten wildlife habitat and crowd out native vegetation. It is only beginning to invade riparian areas of California, but is considered a major invasive species in the southern forests.

Jepson Manual, 2nd Edition: Triadica sebifera

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Moderate

Cal-IPC Resources on Triadica sebifera

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• CalWeedMapper - Statewide maps, climate models, and reports.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Sapium sebiferum.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Sapium sebiferum.
• Don't Plant a Pest! - Select your region to find non-invasive alternatives to ornamental species. Also see our statewide brochure on trees.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2005). Don't sell a pest: A new partnership to prevent plant invasions through horticulture. Cal-IPC News. 13: 4-5,14.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Bower, M. J. and C. E. Aslan (2008). Invasion potential of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) in California. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008. Chico, CA, California Invasive Plant Council.
• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2004). Partnering to prevent invasions of plants of horticultural origin. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Hunter, J. C., J. C. Sterling, et al. (2003). The abundance and distribution of non-native woody species in Sacramento Valley riparian zones. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2003. Kings Beach, CA.
• Randall, J. M. (1997). Weed alert! New invasive weeds in California. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '97. Concord, CA.
• Tu, M. and J. M. Randall (2003). 2003 Cal-IPC red alert! New invasions, recent expansions, and a few others to be on the look-out For. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2003. Kings Beach, CA.

Other Resources on Sapium sebiferum (=Traidica sebifera)

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Sacramento Weed Warriors - printable fact sheet

Printer-friendly version