Noteworthy Collections: KENTUCKY

Abstract

Triadica sebifera (L.) Small [Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb.] (EUPHORBIACEAE)—Fayette County: Collected from residence on Athens-Walnut Hill Road, southeast of Lexington; 37u57.4889N, 084u24.8749W; 1 Sept. 2007, Eric B. Comley 61 (EKY). Significance. This is the first collection of Triadica sebifera (L.) Small, the Chinese tallowtree, from Kentucky. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA, NRCS 2007), this invasive species is known from the southern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Chinese Tallow-tree, or Popcorn Tree, is a native of China, Taiwan, and Japan (USDA, NRCS 2007). The species was introduced by Benjamin Franklin and promoted by the U.S. Forest Service for soap potential and later as an ornamental due to the tree’s beautiful fall color. According to the Invasive and Exotic Species website (Douce et al. 2007) Chinese Tallow-Tree was brought to South Carolina in the 1700’s as an ornamental, and was widely planted by the U.S. Forest Service for seed oil production from 1920 to 1940. This Kentucky record is from a single tree 2.5 m tall and nearly 9 cm in diameter just above ground level. It was located near the end of the carport about 1 m from the driveway and 2 m from a bird feeder. The resident owner’s son brought a sample of the plant to the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Office for identification. After an initial identification, the specimen was confirmed by Dr. Ross Clark, Eastern Kentucky University. The resident’s son, once the tree displayed foliage, noted the tree showed some similarities in leaf shape to native species (Cercis canadensis L. and Populus deltoides Bartram ex Marshall), so the tree was left to grow. The tree was not planted by the property owner. After explanation of the toxicity of the plant to livestock and its listing on State and Federal Noxious Weed lists (USDA, NRCS 2007), the owner agreed to destroy the plant. No other Chinese tallowtrees were found on the 0.6 ha property, but continued observations are planned for the area