RANCHING
What Plant Is Important in February? Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum)
C
HINESE TALLOW IS AN INTRODUCED, FAST GROWING DECIDUOUS TREE that is native to eastern Asia. It is found throughout
the southeast Gulf Coast from South Carolina and Florida to Texas. The tree was originally used in the U.S. as a landscape
tree because it produces brightly colored fall foliage for urban landscapes. • Also known as chicken tree, popcorn tree, Florida aspen and candleberry
• Its uses originally included soap production, candles and medicines
• Can quickly grow to a height of 30 feet and can spread rapidly from root sprouts and cuttings
• Has smooth, heart-shaped leaves and produces fl owers that grow at the end of each branch Chinese tallow is benefi cial to beekeepers along the
Gulf Coast because its fl owers and nectar produce excellent honey. It has very little use for other species of wildlife or livestock, however. The tree produces thousands of nut-like seeds from fl ow-
ers that turn black in the fall. Many species of birds eat the seeds, which encourages the spread of the trees throughout the countryside. Chinese tallow is frequently recognized as an invasive
plant in pastures and rangelands. It can quickly out-compete native vegetation and dominate the landscape, creating a monoculture, as the decaying leaves have the ability to pre- vent other species of plants from germinating. Chinese tallow cannot be purchased and sold in Texas.
The Texas Department of Agriculture includes it on its list of noxious and invasive plants. Chinese tallow can be controlled by a timely application of herbicide and/or prescribed fi re.
Editor’s note: Kent Ferguson, retired rangeland management specialist from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is providing us with plant identifi cation photo stories to help ranchers identify those forbs, forages and species growing in the pastures. Additional photos provided by USDA NRCS.
42 The Cattleman February 2016
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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