Chinese Tallow
Triadica sebifera
- Native to:
- China, Hainan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam
Sun Jiao (Interaccoonale)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Genus:
- Triadica
- Species:
- Triadica sebifera
- USDA Symbol:
- TRSE6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), Selenisa sueroides
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta), Tallow leaf (Caloptilia triadicae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and stumps following fire or cutting, making control difficult.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers floodplain and wetland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without extensive pretreatment. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI