Triadica sebifera
Chinese tallowtree
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Euphorbiaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallowtree) is a non-native California tree in the Euphorbiaceae family, recognized by Recently introduced Asian species; only tree-sized member of Euphorbiaceae naturalized in California.
Chinese tallowtree is a naturalized shrub found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills and the Great Valley at elevations of 10 to 300 meters, commonly growing along stream edges. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces small, understated flowers in elongated inflorescences up to 16 centimeters long. Growing up to 13 meters tall as a deciduous shrub, it develops a spreading form with multiple stems. Its leaves are widely elliptic to roughly ovate, measuring 3 to 9 centimeters long with pointed tips and attached to petioles 2 to 7 centimeters in length. The fruit is approximately 13 millimeters long, containing seeds that are nearly spherical and 6 to 9 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Recently introduced Asian species; only tree-sized member of Euphorbiaceae naturalized in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Stream edges
Elevation: 10-300 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Yolo, Sacramento
Outside California: native to Asia
Bloom period
Triadica sebifera blooms Spring-summer.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Populus: Triadica has milky sap; poplar/cottonwood has clear watery sap.; vs Pyrus: Triadica has spike-like flower clusters; pear has showy white flowers in rounded clusters.; vs Camphora: Triadica leaves smell neutral when crushed; camphor smells strongly of menthol.; vs Cercis: Triadica has alternate leaves; redbud leaves are heart-shaped and alternate.; vs Homalanthus: Triadica leaves are egg-shaped; Homalanthus leaves are more diamond-shaped with red tints.
Frequently asked questions
Is Triadica sebifera native to California?
No. Triadica sebifera is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Triadica sebifera bloom?
Triadica sebifera blooms Spring-summer.
Where in California does Triadica sebifera grow?
Triadica sebifera occurs in Los Angeles, Yolo, Sacramento, at elevations of 10-300 m.
What plant family does Triadica sebifera belong to?
Triadica sebifera is in the Euphorbiaceae family, genus Triadica.
Is Triadica sebifera invasive in California?
Triadica sebifera is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.